MPs have expressed concerns about the government's ability to attract £600M in private sector investment for flood defence schemes in England. The Environment Committee said it was unclear how the target would be met. In a new report examining the department's priorities, MPs said the level of private contributions pledged so far was a "cause for concern". Of the £148M secured since new rules were introduced in 2011, only £40M had come from sources other than local government. "It is unclear how the £600M target can be met and we want Defra to demonstrate how it intends to obtain that money and to explain the impact on its investment programme if the money does not come forward," said committee chair Anne McIntosh