All we want for Christmas are some flood defences… Almost a year on from one of the wettest, windiest and most damaging winters Britain has had since reliable Met Office records began in 1914, this reporter could not help but wonder, are we in for the same problem again? At the time of the floods, the Government was quick to say that long term plans were being put in place to secure the safety of civilians, but it was not until last week that south west Surrey MP, Jeremy Hunt, gave his backing to a bid from Surrey Council for £27 million in flood defences and even now, we cannot be sure of support from Whitehall. Despite being one of the worst affected areas in the flooding, receiving more than 235% of average winter rainfall, Surrey and the South East still has not received Government funding for flood prevention plans 10 months subsequently. Runnymede Councillor, Patrick Roberts, said in June that at least £250 million would be required between the seven councils* to adequately defend against another flood on a similar scale. This writer cannot help but feel that waiting until another winter is almost upon us, with the renewed threat of being submerged in time for Christmas was not exactly strategic planning by the government. Although encouraged by the support given by Mr Hunt, we are still a long way from flood protection in Surrey. We can only hope that another Christmas Eve deluge doesn’t spoil the festivities this year. *Surrey, Runnymede, Elmbridge, Windsor, Spelthorne, Maidenhead and Richmond Sophia Atkinson, Wallington County Grammar School