Andy Burnham warns of greater winter flooding and pledges £45m firefighter kit

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned that the UK could face a winter of greater flooding, as flood warnings remain in place in Wales and Scotland and the Northern Irish coast is hit by severe weather. Cleanup from Austin is taking place in the south, and Storm Bolo is expected to reach the north tomorrow, leaving little respite.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Burnham was asked about recent wildfires in the West Midlands and said the government had made a commitment on the right equipment for firefighters. He said 45 million pounds would go into lighter, more breathable kit suited to hot conditions, rather than heavy gear designed for working in buildings. He also said firefighters needed help from above and that the Ministry of Defence would adapt some planes and helicopters to drop water, giving Britain a capability he said other countries already have.

Asked whether fire and rescue services were properly set up for flooding, Burnham said it was a real worry. He pointed to recent devastating flooding and said the country had to get on the front foot. He said he felt for people in Cornwall, where he said 9,000 people were already without power, and promised support for them and the emergency services.

Burnham said flooding and the response to flooding should become a statutory responsibility for fire and rescue services. At present, he said, it is a very localised decision what services do on equipment for flooding. He said the community secretary, Angela Rayner, had made a commitment to the change and that the government would work quickly to put it in place.

Burnham was also pressed on the climate emergency after the government gave the go-ahead to drill for more gas at the Jackdaw gas field. He defended the decision, saying the UK would use gas anyway and would otherwise import it. He said tax revenues from the project would be used to bring forward the renewable future and accelerate investment in clean energy through an energy wealth fund, describing Jackdaw as a bridge to a clean energy system.