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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's case study entitled Mental health costs of flooding, published on 4 April 2025, whether his Department plans to commission further research on that topic.

The Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research and Development Programme and Mental health costs of flooding case study builds on previous mental health and flooding work. New research into the mental health impacts for those living in areas at risk of coastal erosion is also underway.

The Environment Agency has updated its advice for those at risk of flooding based on the research. This showed that mental health impacts are reduced if people have a flood plan and are prepared for flooding.

The Environment Agency is working with the UK Health Security Agency on their mental health guidance for the public, and front line responders, who support those who have experienced flooding.