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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prepare for potential flooding in homes and business across the UK.

The Government announced in March 2020 a record £5.2 billion investment over 6 years in around 2,000 flood and coastal erosion schemes to better protect communities across England. This has already resulted in more than 35,000 properties being better protected since April 2021. This investment will also avoid wider economic damages, better protect transport infrastructure, and create or improve natural habitats.

The Environment Agency (EA) launched its annual Flood Action Campaign on 20 November 2023 to encourage people to prepare for flooding. This promotes the steps that people can take to protect themselves, their family and homes. In July 2022, the Government announced a £100 million Frequently Flooded Allowance to support communities that have experienced repeated flooding.

The Environment Agency is prepared to act wherever and whenever it is needed this winter and has 5,000 trained staff across the country ready to respond to flooding.