The department for environment food and rural affairs (Defra) has announced the changes it proposes to make to the amount it plans to spend on flood defences.

Defra says that it is planning to grow spend from £600 million 2006/07 to £800 million by 2010/11. Annual budgets will rise from a minimum of £650 million in 2008/09 to a minimum of £700 million in 2009/10 and the reach £800 million 2010/11.

"It is too early to determine whether this will be the final allocation, or whether it will be possible to go beyond these figures, but I won't rule that out," environment secretary Hillary Benn said.

"I'm providing this outline now because it's important that the different bodies with flood management roles, including insurers, local authorities and the Environment Agency, can start to plan with confidence.

"I expect the independent lessons learned inquiry into this summer's floods, chaired by Sir Michael Pitt, to report at the end of this year. The information that comes out of that review will be taken into account when we determine the final allocation."

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