VALE of York MP Anne McIntosh wants the Government to reduce the amount of cash which councils in North Yorkshire are expected to stump up for flood defences.

Earlier this year Floods Minister Elliot Morley announced £19.6 million should be spent on bolstering flood defences in Yorkshire - an increase of

£7.1m on the current financial year. But he has only pledged to pick up 65 per cent of the bill - with the Regional Flood Defence Committee being asked to find the remainder.

Last year the flood committee, which is made up of council representatives from across the region, refused to pay the full amount recommended by the

Environment Agency.

This led to the county losing £2m in match-funding from the Government and Ms McIntosh is worried there will be similar problems this year.

She has written to Floods Minister Elliot Morley urging him to increase the percentage of the £19.6m which will be paid by the Government.

She said: "Although the Government's cash injection of an extra £7.1m is a welcome move, it still falls way below the sum necessary to ensure that

homeowners are safeguarded against floodwater this year.

"Moreover, the fact that central government funding will only comprise 65 per cent of this sum makes matters all the worse. Local authorities will be required to make up the shortfall - which will also mean rises in council tax."

Updated: 10:01 Friday, November 23, 2001