Comment: Government investment in flood defences

Reacting to the announcement that £2.65 billion will be spent on flood defences over the next two years, Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Toby Perkins MP, said:

“In December the Environment Agency warned that 6.3 million homes were at flood risk in England. Whilst it is great to hear that today’s funding is the largest on record, in protecting 66,500 homes, it is, quite obviously, the tip of the iceberg.

“I hope that the review of the funding formula will pave the way for the greater and swifter investment desperately needed to improve the nation’s flood resilience.

“Flood defences are going to be relied on more and more as the harsh realities of climate change continue to devastate communities hammered by flooding. It is for this reason that the Environmental Audit Committee has prioritised flood alleviation and adaptation as one of its very first inquiries of the 2024-29 parliament.

“Plastering over the cracks by making extensive use of flood defences is not a sustainable long term approach to increasing flood risk. It is becoming increasingly apparent that we need a far better grip on measures to mitigate this risk. In the Committee’s evidence session next week, we will consider measures on land use and planning which can increase a property’s resistance to flooding, as well as the role wetland creation and rewilding can play in creating natural flood barriers. 

“We look forward to hearing about the initiatives under discussion in the Floods Resilience Taskforce when ministers appear before the Committee in the latter stages of its inquiry.”  

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: AdobeStock