Multi-billion pound investment as government unveils new long-term plan to tackle flooding

LONDON, 13 July 2020 /PRNewswire Policy/ --

336,000 properties in England better protected from flooding by 2027 with record 5.2 billion pounds investment

Homes and businesses across the country will be better protected and more resilient in future after the government revealed its long-term plan to tackle the risks of flooding and coastal erosion.

The measures set out in the new plan are the most comprehensive in a decade, including investment of 5.2 billion pounds to create around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences to better protect 336,000 properties in England by 2027, alongside support to help households and businesses get back on their feet more quickly after flooding.

The plans also include 200 million pounds for innovative projects such as sustainable drainage systems and nature-based solutions like temporary or permanent water storage areas which also boost wildlife. These will support 25 areas at risk of flooding to test and demonstrate innovative actions to adapt to a changing climate and improve their resilience.

In addition, up to 170 million pounds will be spent to accelerate work on shovel-ready flood defence schemes that will begin construction in 2020 or 2021. 22 areas across the country will benefit from this immediate boost to jobs supporting the local economy as communities recover from the impact of coronavirus

The government's ambitious long-term plan sets out five key commitments – supported by over 40 clear actions - which will accelerate progress to better protect and better prepare the country for the coming years:

1- Upgrading and expanding flood defences and infrastructure across the country;

2- Managing the flow of water to both reduce flood risk and manage drought;

3- Harnessing the power of nature to not only reduce flood risk, but deliver benefits for the environment, nature, and communities;

4- Better preparing communities for when flooding and erosion does occur; and

5- Ensuring every area of England has a comprehensive local plan for dealing with flooding and coastal erosion.

The plan will see the delivery of flood and coastal defences to prevent 32 billion pounds in economic damage, the creation of areas to store water during flooding and greater use of nature based solutions to reduce flood risk.

The plan also sets out proposed changes to the joint government and insurance industry Flood Re scheme. Subject to consultation, this will allow claims to include an additional amount so that flood resilience measures are included in repairs, and allow households that have property flood resilience measures in place to benefit from lower premiums.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

"Last winter I saw for myself the misery and upheaval that flooding can bring to lives and livelihoods and I said we would do more to help people.

"This long-term plan will help push back the flood waters and protect hundreds of thousands of homes, businesses and livelihoods.

"Our record investment will also stimulate economic growth across the UK as we build back better."

Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

"The devastating impacts of last winter's flooding were an important reminder of the need to continue to invest and accelerate action to reduce the impact of flooding on our communities.

"Our record investment and ambitious policies will better protect homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, but we also recognise that we cannot prevent flooding entirely, which is why we will ensure that communities at high risk are more resilient.

"Working closely with the Environment Agency, local authorities, business and the third sector we will create a better protected and prepared nation."

Andy Bord, Chief Executive of Flood Re, said:

"I welcome the Government's commitment today to making the nation more resilient to future flooding.

"Flood Re enables access to affordable insurance for hundreds of thousands of homes at high risk of flooding. We believe it is very important that the country is built back better and making homes more resilient through the uptake of property flood resilience adaptations is a key part of addressing the increasing threat of flooding resulting from climate change."

As the nation recovers from coronavirus, the measures announced today will also give long-term reassurance to communities across the country – particularly in areas where families and businesses have had to make huge sacrifices to deal with coronavirus while still suffering from the consequences of last winter's flooding.

The pledge to harness the power of nature to reduce flood risk, while protecting and restoring habitats, will also play a part in the UK's world-leading work to tackle climate change, especially ahead of COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 where the restoration of nature and resilience and adaptation will be major themes.

These announcements come ahead of the publication of the Environment Agency's long-term Flood and Coast Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England, which will be published later today and sets out how the Environment Agency will work with communities to deliver the government's plan.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

"For every 1 pound spent improving protection from flooding and coastal erosion, we avoid around 5 pounds of property damages. The long-term commitments announced today will make homes, businesses and infrastructure more resilient to the accelerating impacts of the climate crisis.

"Many communities are all too familiar with flooding, and now the risk is increasing for others too. The Environment Agency is champing at the bit to deliver on the Government's investment with better, and greener, flood schemes. Detail about how we will do this is set out in our strategy."

With climate and nature at its heart, the strategy will provide detail on the Environment Agency's commitment to protect and prepare millions of homes and businesses.

SOURCE UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs