What should the British government do next?

A bit of context... Beginning in December 2013, and continuing into

February 2014, the UK experience some of the worst storms since records began.

Homeowners and communities found themselves at the mercy of extreme flooding.

The floods highlighted critical gaps and under-investment in the UK’s flood defences.

This was especially sensitive at a time when the UK government are required to make significant spending cuts.

What measures is the government taking? The recent Autumn Statement from George Osborne,

the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced no new money for flood defences.

A six year capital investment settlement was instead announced, instead of a year-on-year allocation of funds.

New investment scenarios for the long-term future, based on projections for the next fifty years were also announced.

What is required going forward? Better flood protection has been promised for up to

300,000 households.

It has been estimated by the Environment Agency that funding for flood defences would need to increase by 20 million plus inflation over the next twenty five years.

As it continues to invest, the UK government must answer a number of questions.

1. What is the long-term goal? The UK government must know what it hopes to

achieve with future funding for flood defences?

Does the government wish to get value for taxpayers’ money?

Value for money does not guarantee the best protection for households from future flooding.

Instead, it may be best for future investment to solely focus on the best way of reducing flood risk.

2. Are spending plans best for the future? The Environment Agency has found evidence that

some much needed flood defences will not be implemented until 2019/20.

Government departments will need to answer questions as to why no future money has been allocated.

Much of the capital funding set aside for the coming years has been allocated for other projects.

3. What will it cost to adapt to climate change? Spending needs will, of course, be very sensitive to

future projections for climate change.

Spending scenarios may of course change, depending on the extent of climate change over the coming fifty years.

The most sensitive approach will be tailored to changes in climate change projections.

4. What is the impact of new housing? Previous flood defence spending has not necessarily

taken into account new housing developments.

20,000 new properties have been built on floodplains each year.

As many as 4,000 are severely vulnerable to flooding.

Future flood defence planning needs to take into account the effects of building on a flood plain.

5. Can properties be made more flood-proof? Measures such as flood boards and air brick covers

would cost £800 million but save billions in the long-term.

Money could be saved both in terms of flood prevention, but also ensuring lower flood insurance premiums.

Additional money can also be spent on sewage infrastructure in local communities.

6. What will be the impact for local communities? How will regional and local needs be met under future

funding?

It is impossible to know how communities will change and grow over the next twenty five years.

It is, therefore, impossible to fully understand the full scale of future flood risk & the implications for different communities.