Flooding Bill 2026-27
make provision about the responsibilities and duties of certain authorities and agencies in respect of inland flood prevention; to make provision about the powers of local flood authorities and Internal Drainage Boards; to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the funding of local flood authorities and Internal Drainage Boards; to provide for the designation of Internal Drainage Board pumps as critical national infrastructure; to require the Secretary of State to prepare and publish a report on the potential merits of establishing a Flood Compensation Fund to support homeowners whose primary residence has become unsaleable as a direct result of flooding; to make provision about flood reinsurance schemes; to make provision about the responsibilities of developers and water companies in respect of the provision of drainage for new housing developments; to make water companies statutory consultees for certain planning applications; to place a duty on fire and rescue services to respond to flood events; to make provision about national and local digital mapping of flood incidence and risk; and for connected purposes.
Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
The Flooding Bill is a Presentation Bill tabled by George Freeman.
Is this Bill currently before Parliament?Yes. This Bill was introduced on 14 October 2026 and is currently before Parliament.
Whose idea is this Bill?As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (George Freeman), not the Government.
What type of Bill is this?A Presentation Bill can be tabled by any MP after the fifth Wednesday of the Session. There is no limit to the number of Presentation Bills an individual MP may table.
So is this going to become a law?Presentation Bills are extremely unlikely to become law. Unless the Bill receives unanimous support from MPs and can pass 2nd Reading in the Commons without debate, it will not proceed further in the Bill process.
Would you like to know more?See these Glossary articles for more information: Presentation Bill, Private Members Bill, Process of a Bill
Next Event: Friday 4th December 2026 - 2nd reading
Last Event: Wednesday 14th October 2026 - 1st reading (Commons)
Bill Progession through Parliament