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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to provide assistance to (a) local authorities and (b) people affected by coastal erosion to tackle issues related to coastal erosion in the next two years.

The Government is making a record investment of £5.2 billion in its flood and coastal erosion risk management capital programme, between 2021 to 2027. Currently, over £1 billion of the £5.2 billion capital investment programme for 2021-2027 is supporting projects in the programme will help better protect coastal communities from erosion or flooding.

In addition, the Government is investing £200 million between 2021 and 2027 in the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation programme to support local places including coastal communities. This includes the £36 million coastal transition accelerators programme which will support communities in areas at significant risk of coastal erosion to transition and adapt to a changing climate.

East Riding of Yorkshire and North Norfolk were identified as the areas to lead off the programme as they have proportionally the highest number of properties at risk from coastal erosion in England and are facing the greatest challenges from erosion and loss of coastline. Other coastal communities and risk management authorities will benefit from the learning that will be shared from this programme to inform future climate resilience and adaptation.