MONEY must be spent on protecting Britain from flooding – there is no getting away from that.
Our island is under threat from rivers and waterways that are routinely swollen by increased rainfall blamed on global warming.
The Government has responded by upping its budget for flood defences by £200m, taking spending to a whopping £800m by 2
010.
MPs claim that is not enough and more must be poured into creating adequate safeguards.
The influential Commons environment select committee is calling for the budget to be increased again, arguing it is the only way to protect people's homes and businesses.
But it is important to remember that this is not a bottomless pit.
We cannot just keep on throwing money – and our money at that – at a problem like this.
And we certainly should not be expected to foot the bill for protecting the 'critical assets' of the electricity, gas and water companies.
They have made billions charging us through the nose for our utilities and must not be allowed to pass on the cost to us.
The simple fact is that too many homes have been built on flood plains.
The result is thousands of properties at risk and a loss of drainage that leaves huge swathes of the country prone to flooding.
It is too easy to simply say more money must be spent on protecting us from the floodwaters.
More intelligent planning, rather than endless spending, is our best line of defence.
Inside jobPRISON guards at Wakefield jail have rejoined forces in their old band.
Calling themselves Feelgood Factor, they got back together after a charity gig for Martin House Hospice. They're thinking about doing a gig for the inmates at the high-security jail.
No doubt they'll play some criminal records – so it's just as well they'll be performing in front of a captive audience.
Still, they might just go on to big things.
The lads have been booked for a wedding and who knows what the future could hold.
A support slot with The Police perhaps?
Sure thingGET all the latest on Leeds United's looming play-off clash with Carlisle in today's special pull-out.
Our great supplement has all you need to know about the Whites' bid for promotion glory.
We've called it 'Super Leeds Are Going Up' and we hope you forgive us our optimism. But we're sure the lads won't let us down.
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