Ministers said the cash for flood defences was increasing

The claim follows moves to give local authorities more freedom over spending.

Government cash is no longer being set aside specifically for flood defences, with councils being left to decide how money is allocated from general funds.

Labour urged the government to bring back the ring-fencing of flooding cash, but the SNP said it had increased spending on flood defences.

Finance Secretary John Swinney gave councils more freedom over spending when he announced his budget last month.

Labour's environment spokeswoman Sarah Boyack said the decision to end ring-fencing of cash for flood defence and prevention schemes showed the "lack of importance" placed on the issue by the government.

There is no point having a national flood warning scheme if it's not backed by investment in flood protection Sarah Boyack Labour environment spokeswoman

"The SNP should put the ring-fence back on flood defence budgets and ensure that it gets proper priority," she said.

"Otherwise ministers will be reduced to handing out sandbags to householders if Scotland gets hit by a major flood.

"There is no point having a national flood warning scheme if it's not backed by investment in flood protection."

However, Environment Minister Mike Russell said: "The Scottish Government has announced funding totalling �126m for flood prevention schemes over the next three years."

He said this 41% increase had been specified in the government's concordat with local government.

He said: "This is a new deal between central and local government in Scotland, to ensure that the significant extra money that we are investing delivers on our shared objectives right across society, including the vital issue of flood defences.