News From Dr Dan Poulter

Just a few weeks ago, much of our area experienced an extreme weather event that caused major flooding. Well over 500 homes and businesses in the communities in and around Framlingham, Debenham, Wickham Market, and Needham Market were directly impacted.

On a personal note, I was forced to abandon my car, to carry family members to safety through the rising flood waters, to spend the night in temporary accommodation, and my office in Framlingham was waist deep in water. I know that many others were much worse affected.

During the floods, and in the immediate aftermath, we saw the very best of Suffolk, as farmers and other members of our communities came together to help out those in need. Tractor drivers helped to rescue schoolchildren, and thanks to community volunteers, emergency hubs were set up in local towns and villages to support those stranded in the floods.

My immediate priority once the floods began to subside, has been to visit as many homes and businesses as I could, to personally offer help and support. In Parliament, I raised the challenges facing flood impacted homes and businesses at Prime Minister’s Questions. I am pleased that in the difficult circumstances facing so many in our area, that my intervention has helped to secure a special Government flood support package for local homes and businesses impacted by the flooding which can be accessed though our local councils.

Flooded households in Suffolk are entitled to claim Government support, with an immediate £500 for flooded homes, and another £5000 available to homeowners to rebuild and recover in the longer term. Flood impacted businesses are entitled to claim an immediate £2500 in financial support.

As we continue to recover and rebuild from the floods, there may still be families and businesses in difficulty. Should anyone need to contact me or my team for support and assistance or with help making a claim or about anything else you feel we can help with please email Daniel.Poulter.mp@parliament.uk or call 02072197038.

As we reflect on what has happened, I do not believe that any amount of planning would have made a significant difference to the flooding that resulted from the extreme weather which combined with a high tide in Suffolk’s tidal rivers to cause maximum destruction. In some places, flood mitigation measures were already in place to manage the risk of flooding but were overwhelmed.

Nonetheless, it will now be important for everyone, and in particular, our local council planners to look at what can be done to prepare better for extreme weather events the future. Certainly, the rewilding policies, which have resulted in the reduced clearance of our roadside drains and gullies, have clearly led to increased flooding at times of sudden and unpredictable rainfall and will need to be reassessed.

Finally, as we enjoy ourselves over the festive period, a thank you to our emergency services who work all year round to look after us, and to keep us safe. As usual, I shall be working during the busy Christmas and New Year period as a doctor in the NHS and shall be spending a night shift with our Suffolk Police. I wish you, your family and your friends a very Happy Christmas and a Happy 2024.