Spending on flood defences set to rise to record levels
The Environment Agency says more than 6.3 million properties in England are at risk from flooding
- Published
The government says it will spend more than £2.6bn, over the next two years, to protect more homes and businesses in England from flooding - £250m more than previously announced.
The money will be spent on projects ranging from tidal barriers and flood walls to nature-based solutions that slow water flow.
In its latest detailed assessment, the Environment Agency calculated 6.3 million homes across England were currently at risk from flooding from rivers, seas and surface water.
With climate change set to bring more intense storms and heavier rainfall, that could rise to eight million by 2050 - one out of every four properties.
Flood defences in Bewdley, Worcs
"The storms this winter have devastated lives and livelihoods," Environment Secretary Steve Reed said.
"The role of any government is to protect its citizens."
Between 2021 and 2024, the Conservative government spent just over £1bn a year on flood defences.
But last year, a cross-party committee of MPs said it had failed to properly maintain sufficient existing flood defences or build enough new ones.
In each of the next two years, if all the announced money is spent, that figure will rise to more than £1.3bn.
Nearly 1,000 projects will receive funding, with more than 66,000 of the most at risk properties set to be be better protected.
The projects include:
£43m for Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Flood Defence Scheme, in Somerset
£35m for a flood-risk-management scheme in Derby
£3.5m for the Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill Flood Defence Scheme, in Dorset
£2.5m to support property-flood-resilience schemes across Leics, Derbys and Notts
£2m to protect communities in Bewdley, Worcs
More than £100m has been earmarked to repair and maintain defences, some of which were damaged in last year's floods.
"With this new funding, we will work closely with the government to deliver the vital projects that are needed across the country, ensuring our investment goes to those communities who need it the most," Alan Lovell, who chairs the Environment Agency, said.