COBRA Storm meeting: Government never learns from mistakes

The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to bring forward a package of support for communities affected by storms in the UK. It comes as both Storm Dudley and Eunice are barraging places with strong winds and harsh weather. Like Storm Arwen that ravaged homes in November 2021, thousands are set to be left without power, with railways and transport links also taking serious damage.  The Lib Dems are calling for ministers to step in and provide food, emergency accommodation and other essential supplies to vulnerable people on the ground impacted by the storms.  The party is also urging support to be brought in to provide emergency electricity generators to communities until power is restored, and for the government to provide additional support to engineers working hard to bring back power as soon as possible. In response to the news that a COBRA meeting was called this morning, Liberal Democrat Communities Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:   “Whenever a storm hits, the Government is disgracefully unprepared to support the thousands of people affected. They never learn from their mistakes. This time, as people up and down the country are barraged by stormy weather, the Government must be on hand to provide support.  “The COBRA meeting must agree on an emergency support plan including providing food, emergency accommodation and electricity generators for those affected by any power cuts. “People across the United Kingdom are fed up with being taken for granted and left without proper support when things go wrong. With extreme weather more frequent, the Conservatives cannot ignore the crisis sweeping the nation.”