Government still too reliant on e-communication, says CLA in the North

Government still too reliant on e-communication

The latest flooding crisis has once again highlighted the Government’s over-reliance on electronic communication, says the CLA in the North.

With 21 severe flood warnings and more than 400 lower-level flood alerts and warnings in place across England and Wales, the Environment Agency is urging people to prepare for some of the worst flooding in years.

But according to the CLA, which represents 6,500 farmers and landowners throughout the region, the agency has placed too much emphasis on its website as the primary tool of communication with those most at risk.

CLA North Director of Policy and Public Affairs Douglas Chalmers said: “The Environment Agency has been attempting to communicate via the media but when asked how people can access the latest information and advice, the standard response seems to be to check online.

“That is fine if you have a good, reliable internet connection, but many of our members either cannot access broadband or have no computer access at all. And as flooding is often associated with power cuts, what is the population to do then?

“The Government says it accepts that some of our more remote communities are not yet connected to a useable broadband service yet many of its agencies seem to think that communicating by their website is acceptable.”

The CLA is calling for the Government to reconsider its “digital by default” agenda until more of the region’s rural population is able to access a reliable and affordable internet connection.

Mr Chalmers added: “Being required to fill in forms via an agent if you have no broadband is bad enough, but in the current situation lives and properties may be at risk.

“The Government cannot make electronic communication its default method until everyone has an equal opportunity to access the internet.”