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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of blocked drains on flooding.

The role of any Government is to protect its citizens which is why, under our Plan for Change, a record £2.65 billion will be invested over two years in better protecting 52,000 properties by March 2026. Around 1,000 projects will receive funding in 24/25 and 25/26.

Blocked and damaged drainage infrastructure can exacerbate flooding risks. Drain and sewer blockages occur for a number of reasons, including by misuse of the sewer system. Small but significant steps in households, such as not pouring fats and oils down the plughole and not flushing wet wipes or other plastic products down the toilet can help prevent sewer flooding, and in turn mitigate surface water flooding, as well as protect rivers’ water quality.

The Environment Agency has strategic overview for all flood risk in England, however, it is for Lead Local Flood Authorities to develop local interventions to reduce surface water flood risk. Local flood risks should be identified and managed as part of a local flood risk management strategy, in cooperation with local highway authorities, which are responsible for highway and gully maintenance, as well as water and sewerage companies, which have a duty to maintain their sewers, under Section 94 of the Water Industry Act 1991, to ensure their areas are effectually drained.