The Environment Agency has welcomed the Government's announcement of a boost in funding for its work programme for 2008/09.

"We have a lot of work to do this coming year. Flood risk management, climate change adaptation, water resources, river quality, agricultural pollution and cracking down on environmental crime are just a few of things that are on the top of our list. This funding will help us to get on with this work and really create a better place," said Environment Agency Chief Executive Barbara Young.

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"Our combination of Defra funding, charging and other income is allocated to a vast and diverse range of environmental protection projects this year. This is alongside the previously announced guaranteed increase in flood defence funding over the next three years which will see more than £1.8bn spent on flood defences and flood risk and coastal erosion management. We have a solid foundation on which to create a better place for the people of England and Wales."

The largest amount of money will be spent on flood risk management and defences, with around £679m earmarked for investment in capital projects planned by the Environment Agency, Local Authorities and Internal Drainage Boards.

Young continued: "We will now take all this into consideration when finalising our Corporate Plan for 2008-11 to achieve the best balance of resources to get the best result for the environment, which will be agreed with Ministers in May this year."

(CD/JM)