£1.4 Billion Flood Defence Boost to Protect 336,000 Homes and Businesses Across England

Largest-Ever Flood Defence Investment

The UK government has unleashed £1.4 billion for flood and coastal defences in 2026/27, as part of a £10.5 billion programme spanning 2024–2036. This record investment will fund over 600 projects, including new flood barriers, embankments, and natural flood management schemes, to protect tens of thousands of homes and businesses from the devastating impacts of flooding.

• Economic Impact: Every £1 invested in flood defences prevents £8 in economic damage, meaning this £1.4 billion investment alone is expected to shield the economy from over £10 billion in losses.
• Job Creation: The programme will create thousands of skilled jobs in engineering, construction, and environmental management, supporting local economies and community resilience.

Key Projects and Regional Benefits

The £1.4 billion funding will support major flood defence projects across England, including:

• £100 million coastal defence scheme between Pevensey Bay and Eastbourne, protecting 3,100 homes and critical infrastructure from rising sea levels and storms.
• £37 million for the second phase of Derby’s "Our City Our River" programme, reducing flood risk for 1,500 homes and 700 businesses along the River Derwent, including Rolls-Royce Nuclear.
• £15.2 million for the Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme, safeguarding 5,000 homes in Lancashire.
• Natural flood management initiatives, such as tree planting, river renaturalisation, and saltmarsh restoration, to slow water flow and reduce flood risk while benefiting local ecosystems.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy:

"Flooding can turn lives upside down in a matter of hours, destroying homes, shutting down businesses, and leaving communities facing months of heartbreak and recovery. This £1.4 billion investment will help protect tens of thousands of homes and businesses across the country."

Climate Resilience and Long-Term Protection

The £10.5 billion programme is the largest in English history and is designed to tackle the growing threat of climate change, which is increasing the frequency and severity of flooding. The investment will:

• Reverse 14 years of decline in flood defence infrastructure, ensuring communities are better protected from extreme weather.
• Support the construction of new homes and businesses in areas made safer from flooding, unlocking economic growth and community development.
• Improve forecasting and emergency response, with 1,500 emergency responders trained and new surface water flooding alerts introduced.

Caroline Douglass, Environment Agency:

"This investment allows the Environment Agency and our partners to continue our work needed to protect communities from flooding. From major flood barriers to natural flood management, we’re combining engineering and nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk and build long-term resilience."

Natural Flood Management and Environmental Benefits

The programme will prioritise natural flood management techniques, such as:

• Leaky barriers and floodplain wetlands to slow water flow and reduce flood risk in areas like Clitheroe, Lancashire.
• Saltmarsh restoration and coastal defence projects to protect against sea-level rise and strengthen ecosystems.
• Tree planting and river renaturalisation to enhance biodiversity while reducing flood impacts.