The UK unveils sweeping reforms to strengthen flood defences nationwide
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In a bold move to fortify communities against the growing threat of flooding, the UK government has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its flood protection strategy.
The reforms, unveiled by Floods Minister Emma Hardy at the Flood & Coast Conference in Telford, aim to simplify funding processes, accelerate project delivery, and expand support for vulnerable regions.
Under the new plan, the government will fully fund the first £3 million of any proposed flood or coastal erosion project. For costs beyond that, only 10% will need to be sourced externally, with the government covering the remainder—dramatically reducing the financial burden on local councils.
The reforms are part of the government’s Plan for Change, which includes a £2.65 billion investment in flood defences across the country. Minister Hardy emphasized that the current funding application system is “complex and archaic,” disproportionately affecting councils with limited resources. The new approach promises a simpler, more transparent process that will benefit poorer, rural, and coastal communities3.
The consultation accompanying the reforms also explores:
- Prioritizing projects based on value for money and community resilience
- Expanding natural flood management techniques, such as restoring wetlands and planting trees
- Promoting property-level resilience tools, including flood doors and smart air bricks4
Caroline Douglass, Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, praised the initiative, calling it a “bold strategic vision” that will help communities better prepare for extreme weather events driven by climate change.
The reforms have been widely covered by outlets including Emergency Services Times, Dredging Today, and Smart Water Magazine, all highlighting the potential for these changes to transform how flood resilience is funded and implemented across the UK.
Sources:
https://smartwatermagazine.com/news/govuk/reforms-bolster-flood-protection-communities-across-uk
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Creative Commons License:
Flooding on Riverside, Cambridge. The reason why it has the flood protection seen in 70468
Date
23 October 2001
Source
From geograph.org.uk
Author
Attribution
(required by the license)
Keith Edkins / Flooding on Riverside, Cambridge /
Camera location
View this and other nearby images on: OpenStreetMap
Object location
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