Ed Miliband says Government must “turn warm words into real action” on visit to flood-hit Exeter

Ed Miliband has been down in Exeter today visiting those effected by flooding alongside local MP Ben Bradshaw. Whilst there, he released the following statement:

“We need the Government to turn warm words into real action – from the provision of sandbags to getting our transport infrastructure up and running, to having the necessary investment we need in flood defence. The Prime Minister made big promises this week, now he’s got to deliver on them.

“The problem has been that the Government has been too slow and inconsistent in its response. We’ve seen another example of that today. Families shouldn’t have to pay for sandbags but the Government seems in utter chaos and confusion about this issue.

“The Prime Minister has got to do better. He’s got to make sure his Government starts speaking with a single voice and he’s frankly got to get a grip on the way his Government is handling this situation. For families who are facing the distress of flooding, who are worried about whether they are going to be driven out of their homes, to be charged for the sandbags is an insult.

“David Cameron needs to make that clear to councils across the country and he needs to get a grip on the Government machine so that the message is coordinated and communicated in a clear way.”