UK Floods Crisis: Prime Minister David Cameron Rules Out 550 Job Cuts to Environment Agency

The Prime Minister David Cameron has insisted that 550 jobs will not be cut from the Environment Agency as the UK continues to face severe storms and floods.

The most recent announcement comes after the Conservative Party Leader refused to rule out the job losses.

But he told BBC News Breakfast that "those have never been announced plans and those aren't plans that are going to be put in place".

Cameron also insisted that whatever the agency needed to cope with the devastating storms the government would provide it.

The news comes as the UK continues to face floods due to adverse weather conditions.

The Environment Agency warned communities in southern, south west and central England remain at risk of flooding, with further heavy rain expected to affect the country.

Continued heavy rainfall means that flooding will remain for several days and although water levels may fall, they are expected to rise again on the Thames and Severn, affecting places already experiencing flooding.

The Environment Agency also said there is a continued high flood risk on the Somerset Levels and Moors where a major operation to pump away floodwater is taking place, and a high risk of coastal flooding for Dorset.

"We are continuing to see the very real and devastating impacts that flooding can have on communities and business. We know the distress that flooding can cause and are doing everything we can to reduce the impacts," said Paul Leinster, chief executive of the Environment Agency.

He added: "Some communities will see a brief respite, but unfortunately the risk of flooding will continue.

"We ask people to remain vigilant and take action were necessary.

"We expect to see river levels rising again with more rain forecast for Friday 14 February and Saturday 15 February.

"Environment Agency teams are working round the clock to help protect homes, businesses and communities. By clearing blockages from rivers, and deploying temporary defences we have helped to protect homes which may otherwise have seen flooding."