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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
20 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Current flood risk framework remains underpowered, fragmented, and lacks enforceability
We are concerned that the current flood risk framework is underpowered and fragmented. The Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy lacks enforceability, and the National Adaptation Programme does not provide the standards, targets, or delivery mechanisms needed to … Read more
Government Response
The government response provided is a general introductory text for the committee report and then shifts to the heading for a different recommendation (paragraph 16), failing to address the committee's concerns regarding the fragmented and underpowered flood risk framework in paragraph 15.
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3 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Absence of agreed national standard for flood resilient properties and communities
We are concerned that there is still no agreed national standard for what constitutes a flood resilient property, system, or community. This absence undermines public understanding, weakens accountability, and makes 57 it harder to prioritise investment or measure progress. Without … Read more
Government Response
The government response acknowledges surface water risk and the importance of improved mapping, highlighting existing duties under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. However, it does not commit to defining a national standard for flood resilient property, system, or community, which the committee stated was missing.
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4 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Develop and adopt clear, measurable national flood resilience standards by 2027
By 2027, the Government should develop and adopt clear, measurable national flood resilience standards that define the expected level of resilience based on the characteristics of the area or property. These standards should guide national and local investment, support planning … Read more
Government Response
The government response discusses the importance of catchment-based planning, integrated water management plans, ongoing calls for evidence, and devolution opportunities. It also references a future Environment Agency strategy review as an 'opportunity,' but it does not commit to developing and adopting clear, measurable national flood resilience standards by 2027 as recommended.
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5 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Surface water flooding remains poorly quantified, inconsistently planned, and underestimated nationally
Surface water flooding is the most common source of flooding in England, yet it remains poorly quantified, inconsistently planned for, and often underestimated in development decisions. It is also one of the least understood and least coordinated aspects of flood … Read more
Government Response
The government response focuses on supporting and funding nature-based solutions, including specific investment targets for natural flood management projects. It does not address the committee's concerns regarding surface water flooding being poorly quantified, inconsistently planned for, and underestimated.
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6 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Ensure surface water flood risk is quantified, integrated, and data shared across authorities
We welcome the flood risk strategy becoming more dynamic and responsive to emerging risks. Surface water flooding, long underestimated, is now understood to be one of the most frequent and complex sources of flood risk. It must no longer be … Read more
Government Response
The government response discusses the importance of understanding and tracking flood defence assets and the Environment Agency's existing asset information system. It does not address the specific recommendations for consistently quantifying surface water flood risk, standardising mapping and modelling, or developing a national framework for data sharing on drainage infrastructure.
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7 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Catchment-based planning inconsistently applied, poorly coordinated, and underpowered by funding
Catchment-based planning is widely acknowledged as the most effective and integrated way to manage flood risk, improve water quality, and deliver nature-based solutions. However, despite years of policy support, it remains inconsistently applied, poorly coordinated, and underpowered by short- term, … Read more
Government Response
The government response refers to the existing National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy and the Environment Agency's legal duty for strategic oversight, noting the EA will review the strategy next year and restate responsibilities. However, it does not address the committee's concern about catchment-based planning remaining inconsistently applied, poorly coordinated, and underpowered.
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8 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Mandate catchment-scale planning and delivery through regional partnerships with statutory duties by 2027
Catchment-based planning must become the default approach, not a discretionary extra. By 2027, the Government should mandate catchment- scale planning and delivery through regional partnerships with defined statutory duties, long-term funding, and clear oversight. These partnerships should coordinate key actors … Read more
Government Response
The government response is entirely unrelated to the recommendation, instead discussing an assessment of a statutory duty for Fire and Rescue Services in England to respond to flooding, which is planned to conclude in summer 2026.
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9 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Nature-based solutions remain undervalued and underutilised in flood risk management
Nature-based solutions remain undervalued and underutilised in England’s approach to flood risk management. Despite growing evidence of their effectiveness in reducing flood risk, improving water quality, and delivering wider environmental and social benefits, they are still treated as peripheral rather … Read more
Government Response
The government response focuses on exploring stronger climate adaptation objectives and setting measurable objectives in the fourth National Adaptation Programme due in 2028. It does not specifically address the committee's concerns regarding the undervaluation, underutilisation, or deprioritisation of nature-based solutions.
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10 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Embed nature-based solutions as core to flood risk management, reforming funding and setting targets.
The Government should embed nature-based solutions as a core component of national flood and coastal erosion risk management by 2027. Defra, working with the Environment Agency, HM Treasury, and other key partners, should: • Reform flood funding appraisal and partnership … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights its record investment in flood resilience and new general funding rules taking effect from April 2026 to optimise investment. However, the response does not specifically commit to embedding nature-based solutions as a core component, reforming funding appraisal to reflect their multi-benefit value, or setting national targets for their uptake by 2026/2027.
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11 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Absence of comprehensive record of flood resilience assets limits strategic management.
We find that the absence of a comprehensive, up-to-date, and accessible record of flood resilience assets significantly limits England’s ability to manage flood risk strategically. The lack of visibility over third-party, locally delivered, and nature-based assets fragments responsibility, undermines coordination, … Read more
Government Response
The government details its existing financial oversight and assurance processes for flood and coastal erosion risk management investment programmes, and the high-level oversight provided by the Floods Resilience Taskforce. It does not address the committee's finding about the absence of a comprehensive, up-to-date record of flood resilience assets.
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12 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Commission a national audit of all flood resilience assets by 2026.
The Government should commission a national audit of flood resilience assets by 2026, encompassing both engineered and nature-based infrastructure. This audit should identify the type, location, ownership, condition, and maintenance responsibilities of all relevant assets, including those owned or managed … Read more
Government Response
The government details its recently announced changes to flood and coastal erosion funding policy, aimed at simplifying rules and optimising funding allocation for new projects and existing assets. The response does not address the recommendation to commission a national audit of flood resilience assets.
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13 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Fragmented responsibilities and unclear accountability persist in flood risk management.
We are deeply concerned that even after more than a decade of reform, many communities still do not know who is responsible for managing flood risk where they live. A system that leaves the public unclear about accountability is not … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its commitment to building homes with flood protection and plans to consider further changes to flood risk management as part of an upcoming planning reform consultation. The response discusses planning policy and Environment Agency support for local authorities but does not directly address the committee's concern about unclear public accountability for flood risk management.
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14 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Establish clear national mechanism for strategic oversight and accountability in flood risk management.
Flood resilience must be planned, integrated, and accountable, not fragmented, reactive, or opaque. The Government should establish a clear national mechanism for strategic oversight and accountability in flood risk management. By the end of 2025, it should set out how … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on strengthening the delivery of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and exploring options for their adoption and maintenance, referencing the FloodReady report. It explicitly states it will not implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act (2010), and does not address the recommendation for establishing a clear national mechanism for strategic oversight and accountability in flood risk management.
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15 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Consult on introducing statutory duty for Fire and Rescue Services to respond to flooding.
The Government should consult on introducing a statutory duty for Fire and Rescue Services in England to respond to flooding, supported by dedicated funding for training, equipment, and operational planning. This should be undertaken by the end of 2025. This … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights the Environment Agency's Flood Action Week and commitments to improving public communication, stating that a Floods Resilience Taskforce action group will explore options to improve public communication around flood reporting in 2026. This response does not address the recommendation to consult on a statutory duty for Fire and Rescue Services to respond to flooding.
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16 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Resilience must become a central organising principle for all public investment.
The evolving understanding of climate risk and growing data on economic losses make clear that resilience must become a central organising principle for public investment. Without a shift from reactive to preventive spending, and from loosely coordinated action to clearly … Read more
Government Response
The government refers to a Defra report on flood risk management spending and subsequent reforms to the Local Government Finance Settlement (Fair Funding Review 2.0), aiming to introduce a fairer, simpler funding system for local authorities from 2026-2027. This describes changes in funding allocation but does not explicitly commit to embedding resilience as a central organising principle for all public investment.
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17 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Embed climate and flood resilience as core test for all public spending by 2026.
By 2026, the Government should embed climate and flood resilience as a core test for all departmental spending and public investment proposals. This should be supported by clear resilience standards, measurable targets, and a requirement for every department to demonstrate … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on the importance of property flood resilience, referencing the independent FloodReady review and efforts to grow the market for such approaches. It does not address the broader recommendation to embed climate and flood resilience as a core test for all departmental spending and public investment proposals by 2026.
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18 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Insufficient investment scale to keep pace with growing climate risk.
Experts have been clear: the UK is not investing at the scale required to keep pace with climate risk. This fragmented approach is leaving communities and infrastructure exposed and storing up greater costs for the future, and in real terms … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the impact of climate change on insurance and commits to reviewing the viability of a price-reflective insurance market from 2039, including consideration of extending the Flood Re Scheme. This response does not address the committee's conclusion regarding the inadequate scale of UK investment in climate risk.
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19 Conclusion Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Increase flood budget to at least £1.5 billion per year by 2030.
Flood investment must match the scale of risk. The Government’s flood budget should rise to at least £1.5 billion per year by 2030, as recommended by the National Infrastructure Commission to keep pace with climate impacts, and be explicitly tied … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on the role of insurance in supporting flood resilience, highlighting efforts to promote the "Build Back Better" scheme and supporting the piloting of Flood Performance Certificates. This response does not address the recommendation to increase the government’s flood budget to at least £1.5 billion per year by 2030.
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20 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Flood Resilience Taskforce's convening power needs strengthening for future investment priorities.
We welcome the Flood Resilience Taskforce’s role in improving cross-government coordination, including between the Environment Agency, Cabinet Office, and Defra. Its convening power should now be strengthened to influence investment priorities as well as preparedness, ensuring lessons from past events … Read more
Government Response
The government details Defra's existing financial oversight and investment programme for flood and coastal erosion risk management, including partnership funding and new rules for allocating benefits, but does not address strengthening the Flood Resilience Taskforce's convening power.
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21 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report – Flood resilience in E…
Strengthen Flood Resilience Taskforce's mandate for oversight of investment priorities and preparedness measures.
The Government should strengthen the Flood Resilience Taskforce’s mandate by 2026 to provide formal oversight of investment priorities and preparedness measures, ensuring that lessons from past events are systematically incorporated into national flood resilience planning across Government departments. (Recommendation, Paragraph … Read more
Government Response
The government details Defra's existing financial oversight and investment programme for flood and coastal erosion risk management, including partnership funding and new rules for allocating benefits, but does not address strengthening the Flood Resilience Taskforce's mandate.
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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
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28 May 2025 From committee Letter to Chancellor and Defra Secretary of State on flood budget, dated 28 May 2025
Parliament page