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Urgent Call for Increased Investment in Flood Defences Amidst Rising Risks
As the UK braces for an escalating flood risk, a recent report has urged the Chancellor to pledge at least £1.5 billion annually for flood defence measures in the upcoming spending review. This intervention is deemed essential for safeguarding both the economy and public safety.
Currently, nearly two million individuals across the UK face annual flooding threats, a number that rivals the combined populations of major cities such as Birmingham, Sheffield, and Newcastle upon Tyne.
The report highlights that a significant portion—about a third—of England’s critical infrastructure is vulnerable to flood events. This includes essential transport networks like roads and railways, as well as vital energy and water systems, raising concerns about national security.
According to economists detailed in the report by Public First, the annual financial impact of flooding on properties and infrastructure amounts to approximately £2.4 billion. However, the broader economic repercussions extend far beyond immediate damages. The report indicates that each year of flooding contributes to a sustained economic downturn that totals at least £6.1 billion over the subsequent decade.
Currently, flood defence spending stands at £1.3 billion, falling short of the £1.5 billion advised by the National Infrastructure Commission. The Labour government has yet to confirm financial commitments for flood defences beyond the next fiscal year, with the Treasury reviewing funding measures since last autumn.
Emma Howard Boyd, an esteemed professor at the Grantham Research Institute and former chair of the Environment Agency, who led the report initiatives, expressed that this is a crucial moment for leadership in flood risk management. She emphasized, “Considering the deteriorating state of current flood risk management assets, it’s likely that over £1.5 billion per year is necessary to effectively bolster flood resilience in England.”
She further pointed out a compelling financial rationale: “For every £1 invested in flood defences, about £8 of damage is averted. Of that, £3 translates to direct savings for the government, as a significant portion of the damage affects public assets like roads, railways, and hospitals.”
The urgency for enhanced flood management is increasingly pressing, with recent Environment Agency data revealing that 6.3 million properties, including residential and commercial buildings, are located in flood-prone areas.
Looking ahead, projections indicate that by 2050, the climate crisis will exacerbate the situation, leaving approximately one in four properties—an estimated 8 million—at risk of flooding.
Howard Boyd urged the government to prioritize safety alongside its housing development goals, noting that more than 100,000 new homes could potentially be situated in high-risk flood zones unless decisive action is taken. This scenario poses significant risks to the safety and livelihoods of future residents. Leading insurance experts are advocating against constructing new homes in flood-prone areas.
The findings from Public First indicate a notable trend: 74% of the English constituencies identified as most vulnerable to flooding are represented by Labour politicians.
Polling data from the report further underscores public concern, revealing that 66% of respondents feel unprepared for future flooding challenges, reinforcing the need for immediate and sustained investment in flood defence systems.
Source
www.theguardian.com