Government reveals its 10-year flood defence plan

THE Government has announced plans to invest what it says is a record £7.9 billion in flood defences over the next 10 years.

- REBECCA SPEARE-COLE

The Environment Department (Defra) said the money will be spent on rolling out high-performance flood barriers as well as nature-based solutions such as wetland restoration.

Climate change is increasing the risk and frequency of flooding in the UK, with the Environment Agency saying one in four properties in England will be in areas at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water by mid-century.

It comes ahead of the Government's expected unveiling of its infrastructure strategy a long-term plan to invest in and deliver major infrastructure over the next 10 years.

The aim of the flooding programme is to protect hundreds of thousands of homes, businesses and vital infrastructure as the flood risk intensifies, save public services money and support economic growth.

Defra said every £1 spent on flood defences is expected to prevent around £8 in economic damage.