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Cameron to visit regions hit by Storm Desmond
Posted by Guardian: Rowena Mason on December 7th, 2015
Guardian: David Cameron is to visit flood-stricken areas in the north-west amid criticism of the defences that failed to keep water out of people’s homes and businesses.
The prime minister chaired a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee on Monday morning, which looked at how to get immediate help for those affected by Storm Desmond and longer term efforts to get areas “back on their feet”.
Speaking before his visit, Cameron confirmed councils would be fully reimbursed for the costs of dealing with...
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Fracking push gets go-ahead across UK as ministers tighten safeguards
Posted by Guardian: Rowena Mason on July 27th, 2014
Guardian: Ministers will give the go-ahead on Monday for a big expansion of fracking across Britain that will allow drilling in national parks and other protected areas in "exceptional circumstances".
The government will invite firms to bid for onshore oil and gas licences for the first time in six years, with about half of the country advertised for exploration. Ministers are also clarifying the rules on when drilling can take place in national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs) and world...
United Kingdom: HS2 may increase risk homes being flooded, senior Conservatives fear
Posted by Guardian: Rowena Mason on February 23rd, 2014
Guardian: Senior Conservatives have raised concerns that HS2 will increase the risk of homes being flooded, as the high-speed train line passes through areas affected by the recent extreme weather, runs over miles of high-risk floodplains and will require the diversion of seven rivers.
The Liberal Democrat flooding minister, Dan Rogerson, has admitted the scale of the flood risk associated with HS2 has not been fully assessed for the first phase of the route from London to Birmingham.
The HS2 route crosses...
United Kingdom: David Cameron takes personal control as flooding crisis worsens
Posted by Guardian: Rowena Mason on February 5th, 2014
Guardian: David Cameron has taken personal control of emergency efforts to help households stricken by floods and promised "no restrictions" on help, as Labour accused the government of leaving people isolated and unable to cope with homes under water.
The prime minister led a meeting of Cobra, the government crisis response committee, moving aside Owen Paterson, the environment secretary, amid criticism of the official response to weeks of flooding, power outages and transport chaos.
The Environment...
Environment secretary may be blind to rising flood risks, says Labour
Posted by Guardian: Rowena Mason on January 5th, 2014
Guardian: Owen Paterson, the Conservative environment secretary, may be blind to the increased risk of flooding across Britain because he is sceptical about climate change science, Labour has said.
Amid warnings of further floods to hit Britain within the next 48 hours, Maria Eagle, the shadow environment secretary, said Paterson had "real questions to answer" about why he was allowing cuts that could affect Britain's ability to deal with severe weather incidents.
She spoke out after Paterson was forced...
Fracking Could Be Allowed under Homes in Britain w/out Owners’ Knowledge
Posted by Guardian: Rowena Mason on December 19th, 2013
Guardian: Fracking could take place under thousands of homes without their owners' knowledge after ministers said companies would no longer have to notify people directly about potential gas drilling in their areas.
Nick Boles, the planning minister, said the law would be changed to allow gas companies to put in fracking applications without sending out letters to tell people about possible drilling beneath their properties. Instead, companies will be required to publish a notice in a local newspaper and...
United Kingdom: Chris Grayling: fracking is ‘solution’ to high energy bills
Posted by Guardian: Rowena Mason on September 30th, 2013
Guardian: A Conservative cabinet minister has claimed drilling for shale gas could make the "single biggest difference to the cost of living" for people in Britain.
Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, said he believes the controversial process known as fracking is the "solution" to the problem of high energy bills.
He spoke out on the first day of the Conservative conference as the party comes under pressure to respond to Labour leader Ed Miliband's promise to freeze energy bills.
Asked to name...