In a Downing Street press conference on the flooding crisis the Prime Minister said “money is no object” in the ongoing UK flood relief effort and that “whatever money is needed, we will spend it."

Prime Minister David Cameron spoke about the current situation after he toured some areas most affected by floods and storm damage yesterday.

However, what is still not clear is whether this open-ended commitment applies solely to the measures needed to address the current crisis, or whether this represents a broader approach to investment in UK flood defence infrastructure in the long term. When asked to clarify the position, David Cameron told reporters:

“We’re going to lay out our plans, look at lessons learnt and see where more flood defences can help.”

He warned that the severe weather was not over, saying: “There is no sign of this abating”  and with more heavy rain forecast this week "things could get worse before they get better."

The Prime Minister has cancelled his forthcoming visit to the Middle East next week to focus on the government's response to the floods.

Relief measures announced by David Cameron include:

• 1,600 troops to have been deployed by the end of Tuesday and thousands more available to help in flood-hit areas ( now amended to 600 troops on active deployment)
• Government to get insurance companies into affected areas so people can make their claims quickly
• The Association of British Insurers and the Confederation of British Industry to meet at Downing Street in order develop support plans for businesses
• A fund of up to £10 million to help affected farmers recover
• Grants to help homeowners build better flood defences and repair properties
• A new cabinet committee to deal with the recovery

The Environment Agency currently has 16 severe flood warnings in place, 14 in the Thames Valley in a wide area which extends from Oxford up to the outskirts of London and 2 in Somerset, 125 flood warnings and 228 flood alerts.

The Met Office is predicting severe weather this week, including further heavy rain and a swathe of southwesterly gales across many areas which may be severe in places.