Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman is answering an urgent question on flooding in north-west England. Shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh tabled the question. Over 500 homes were flooded in Lancashire and West Yorkshire when a month's rain fell in 24 hours between 23 and 24 June. Five flood warnings remain in place for parts of northern England. Heavy rain also disrupted transport in south-west England. Residents in Croston and Darwen, Lancashire, had to be evacuated from their homes when nearby rivers burst their banks. The Environment Agency has defended its flood response, saying "it's difficult to stop flooding completely" when rainfall is high. The Agency said it had worked alongside emergency services through Friday 23 June to clear debris, monitor river levels and operate flood defences.