EMBATTLED North Yorkshire MP Anne McIntosh will lead a House of Commons debate on flooding today.

The Thirsk and Malton MP, recently deselected by the Conservatives as their candidate for next year’s General Election, said spending on flood defences had not kept pace with the danger posed by more frequent severe weather and she called on Chancellor George Osborne to increase investment by £20 million year on year.

She also said a “more transparent” flood insurance scheme was needed.

Miss McIntosh, who chairs the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, said: “We need that money over the next 25 years, and maintenance of these defences and effective dredging must be a priority.

Delay by the Government and the insurance industry in agreeing provision of affordable flood insurance has caused a lot of householders unnecessary uncertainty.”