Flood resilience in England

Environmental Audit Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 10 Dec 2024 Parliament page
The Environmental Audit Committee is undertaking an inquiry on flood resilience in England, focusing on how flood resilience can be strengthened in response to increasing risks from extreme weather, rising sea levels, and evolving flood hazards. Read the call for evidence for more information about this inquiry, and to find … Read more
24 Recommendations
15 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
7 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 19 events
19 Mar
2026
Correspondence
11 Mar
2026
Correspondence
5 Feb
2026
Correspondence
15 Jan
2026
Correspondence
23 Dec
2025
Report published
13 Oct
2025
Report published
4 Sep
2025
Correspondence
9 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
9 Jul
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
11 Jun
2025
Oral evidence
11 Jun
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
9 Jun
2025
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
9 Jul 2025
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2
Dr Sebastian Catovsky · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Hardy MP · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Philip Duffy · Environment Agency
11 Jun 2025
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2; Panel 3
Emma Brown · Yorkshire Water Emma Howard Boyd CBE · Public First Jonathan Moxon · Leeds City Council Mark Shepherd · The Association of British Insurers (ABI) Martin Lennon · Flood Re Matthew Shelton · Network Rail Megan Dunford · Zurich UK
19 May 2025
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2
Graham French · Kingfisher Café Ian Moodie · Association of Drainage Authorities Julie Foley OBE · Environment Agency Mary Long-Dhonau OBE · FloodMary.com Siobhan Connor · Shrewsbury Flood Action Group Tracey Garrett · National Flood Forum
12 Feb 2025
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1
Celia Davis · Town and Country Planning Association Hannah Burgess · Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) Rachel Hallos · National Farmers' Union
22 Jan 2025
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2
Paul Sayers · Sayers and Partners Professor Briony McDonagh · University of Hull Professor Jim Hall · National Infrastructure Commission Professor Larissa Naylor · University of Glasgow Professor Richard Dawson · Climate Change Committee The Baroness Brown of Cambridge DBE · Climate Change Committee
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report – Flood resilience in England HC 550 13 Oct 2025 39 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
8 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Amend Flood Act to establish statutory duty for authorities and empower Environment Agency oversight
Flood resilience must be embedded in statute as a clear responsibility, not left as a discretionary ambition. The Government should bring forward proposals to amend the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to establish a duty for all relevant authorities … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the need for long-term investment but will only consider the recommendation for resilience standards as part of an existing commitment to explore a long-term target, with a further statement planned next year. The Environment Agency will also start a review of its strategy next year to define flood resilience, while stating risk management authorities are already required to act.
View details
24 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Current planning system builds flood risk into landscape, undermining national resilience efforts.
The planning system in its current form is not keeping pace with the modern realities of flooding but is instead building risk into the landscape. We recognise the need for new homes, but development should not be permitted in areas … Read more
Government Response
The government states it will consider whether further changes are necessary to manage flood risk and coastal change when it consults on planning reform later this year.
View details
25 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Initiate consultation on statutory requirements for cumulative flood impact assessments in plans.
The Government should initiate consultation on statutory requirements for assessing the cumulative impact of development on flood risk within local and regional plans by the end of 2025. These requirements should be introduced by 2027, ensuring land use policy and … Read more
Government Response
The government will consider whether further changes are necessary to manage flood risk and coastal change when it consults on planning reform later this year. It states the Land Use Framework will set out a strategic approach for land transformation and that agricultural land is already considered in flood defence funding.
View details
29 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Single national flood reporting and information service is a strategic necessity.
A single national flood reporting and information service is not just a communications improvement; it is a strategic necessity. Without a clear, accessible point of contact, the public remains confused, response is delayed, and resilience efforts are undermined. Establishing this … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the principle of improving support and coordination, stating an action group of the Floods Resilience Taskforce will identify options in 2026 for improved communication and coordination around flood reporting and information.
View details
30 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Establish a comprehensive national flood reporting and information service by March 2026.
The Government should establish a single, widely promoted national flood reporting and information service by March 2026. This service should build upon and expand the existing Floodline system to provide a clear point of contact for all types of flooding, … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the need for clear flood information and improved community support, committing to establish an action group within the Floods Resilience Taskforce in 2026 to identify options for improving public communication and coordination around flood reporting.
View details
32 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Establish a national support framework for local flood groups and volunteers by March 2026.
The Government should establish a national support framework for local flood groups and volunteers by March 2026. This must provide: • Core funding to cover basic operational costs, provided through local authorities or Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, • Formal … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the principle of improved support and coordination, stating an action group of the Floods Resilience Taskforce will identify options in 2026 to improve communication and coordination, building on existing work with community groups.
View details
37 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Flood insurance system is inadequate, threatening household stability and market access without reform.
Flood insurance is not just a financial product but a cornerstone of household and market stability. Without reform, growing risk and the eventual withdrawal of Flood Re will leave vulnerable households uninsured, businesses exposed, and communities at risk of economic … Read more
Government Response
The government recognises the impact of climate change on flood insurance and commits to reviewing, by the end of this Parliament, whether a return to a price-reflective market from 2039 remains viable. The review will explore how to ensure a fair, resilient, and accessible insurance system, including consideration of extending the Flood Re Scheme.
View details
38 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Begin work on Flood Re successor to ensure continued, affordable flood insurance beyond 2039.
The Government should begin work with the insurance and mortgage sectors to ensure the continued availability and affordability of flood insurance beyond 2039, when the current Flood Re scheme is due to end. This should include options for a successor … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to reviewing the viability of a price-reflective insurance market beyond 2039 by the end of this Parliament. This review will explore how to ensure accessible and affordable flood insurance, including considering extending the Flood Re scheme or alternative approaches.
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 39 of 24 classified
Accepted 7
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 1
Deferred 8
Not Addressed 20
Rejected 1
Total 24 recs + 15 conclusions
Correspondence 7 letters
19 Mar 2026 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government relating to flooding and the National Planning Policy Framework, 19 March
Parliament page
11 Mar 2026 To committee Letter from Town and Country Planning Association relating to planning for flood risk and the current consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework, 25 February
Parliament page
5 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State Environment, Food & Rural Affairs relating to the government’s response to the Committee’s report on Flood Resilience in England, 30 January 2026
Parliament page
15 Jan 2026 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs relating to the Governments response to the Flood Resilience in England Report, 15 January 2026
Parliament page
4 Sep 2025 To committee Letter from the Environment Agency Chief Executive relating to the Flood Resilience in England hearing of 9 July 2025, 22 July 2025
Parliament page
9 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, responding to the Committee's 28 May 2025 letter on flood budget, dated 5 June 2025
Parliament page
28 May 2025 From committee Letter to Chancellor and Defra Secretary of State on flood budget, dated 28 May 2025
Parliament page