The risks from surface water flooding are increasing, but Defra is not providing the necessary leadership and support for local authorities on how this will be addressed. Surface water flooding is a growing issue with 3.4 million properties at risk in England. In July 2021, parts of London received a month’s rainfall within a couple of hours and more than 1,500 properties were flooded as a result. An increase in non-permeable surfaces (such as paved driveways) adds to the problem and action to tackle surface water flooding is hampered by a lack of local authority resources. Under Schedule 3 to the Floods and Water Management Act 2010, any construction work that has drainage implications requires approval before it starts. But this has not yet been implemented in England. Defra expects it to be implemented by the end of 2024. Section 3 will require lead flood authorities to oversee the correct design and implementation of sustainable drainage systems (SUDS). This is important in preventing flooding and pollution from mainly new developments. Surface water flooding cannot be predicted as reliably as other types of flooding, but the Agency’s new national flood risk assessment model (NaFRA2) will improve the data on surface water flood risk. The Agency says that there are some local authorities that do excellent work on surface water flooding but there are others that do not have the expertise needed in hydrology or the resources to plan appropriately. Recommendation 4a: Defra should urgently work with DLUHC to identify the skills and resources local authorities will need to implement Schedule 3 and where there are likely to be gaps particularly relating to the proper installation of sustainable drainage systems (SUDS). Resilience to fooding 7 b) The Agency should prioritise its work to provide guidance and training for local authorities on surface water flooding, including sharing examples of good practice.