Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much weight is given to protecting (a) businesses and (b) national infrastructure when directing resources in flood risk assessments.

This Government is investing £10.5 billion until 2036 to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences, protecting communities from the devastating impacts of climate change.

On 14 October, following consultation, the Government announced major changes to its flood and coastal erosion funding policy. Projects will be prioritised by their benefit-to-cost ratios to drive value for money. Protecting business and national infrastructure are both included within the overall economic benefits calculation.