The UK government has announced a £1.4 billion investment in flood defences for 2026/27, aimed at protecting tens of thousands of homes and businesses across England. This funding, part of a record £10.5 billion programme running from 2024 to 2036, will support the construction of new flood schemes and upgrades to existing defences, including flood barriers, embankments, natural flood management projects, and coastal protection measures. More than 600 projects are set to be delivered this year, combining engineering and nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk and build long-term resilience.
Of the total funding, £260 million is dedicated to repairing and maintaining existing Environment Agency defences, including those damaged by recent storms, reversing years of decline in flood asset condition. Floods Minister Emma Hardy emphasized that strong flood defences are essential to protect communities, prevent billions of pounds in economic damage, and unlock opportunities for new homes and businesses. Every £1 invested in flood protection is expected to prevent approximately £8 in economic losses.
Major schemes already underway include a £100 million coastal defence project between Pevensey Bay and Eastbourne, safeguarding over 2,100 homes; the £37 million second phase of the Our City Our River programme in Derby, protecting around 1,500 homes and 700 businesses; coastal defences between Holywell and Cooden Beach; and the Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme in Lancashire, set to protect about 5,000 homes. Nature-based measures such as tree planting, wetland restoration, and leaky barriers are also being used to manage water flow and reduce flood impacts while supporting ecological benefits.
Since 2024, the government has invested £2.65 billion in flood defences and committed a further £4.2 billion over the next three years for new schemes and maintenance. Over the next decade, a total of £7.9 billion in capital investment will benefit around 840,000 properties, creating thousands of skilled jobs in engineering, construction, and environmental management. The Environment Agency, working with local authorities and Risk Management Authorities, will deliver the programme to strengthen England’s resilience against the increasing threat of climate-driven extreme weather.
The announcement followed the sixth Flood Resilience Taskforce meeting in Manchester, which brought together government, emergency responders, and local partners to assess winter storm impacts, improve forecasting, and accelerate protective measures. The Taskforce has trained over 1,500 emergency responders and introduced enhanced services for surface water flood forecasting, reinforcing the country’s preparedness for future flood events.
