Tenth anniversary of Storm Desmond

That this House recognises the tenth anniversary of Storm Desmond and remembers the severe impact that it had on communities across Cumbria, which experienced unprecedented rainfall, extensive flooding, widespread disruption and significant damage to homes, businesses, farms and critical infrastructure; understands that many residents, emergency services, voluntary groups and local authorities worked tirelessly in the face of danger to protect lives and property, and that the recovery efforts that followed placed immense strain on communities already coping with long-term economic and social pressures; recognises the importance of sustained investment in flood-resilience measures, including improved defences, natural flood-management schemes, strengthened transport and utility infrastructure, and comprehensive support for households and businesses affected by extreme weather events; further recognises that Storm Desmond highlighted both the vulnerability of rural and upland areas to the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-driven storms, and the need for robust national adaptation policies to ensure that communities such as those in the Lake District and across Westmorland and Lonsdale are better protected in the future; and calls on the Government to commit to long-term, properly funded flood-resilience and climate-adaptation programmes, to work closely with local authorities and communities in Cumbria on future preparedness, and to ensure that all three phases of the Kendal flood relief scheme are delivered speedily and in full.