Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Accepted in Part
When the CTAP pilot concludes in 2027, Defra should move away from a selective piloting...
Recommendation
When the CTAP pilot concludes in 2027, Defra should move away from a selective piloting approach. In its response to this report, it should commit to establishing a longterm national strategy that provides financial assistance and relocation support for properties at risk of coastal change. This strategy should be in place no later than March
Government Response Summary
The government commits to evaluating the CAP and CTAP pilots to inform future policy and develop a long-term model of support for homeowners at risk of coastal erosion. It states that the refreshed FCERM Strategy, expected in 2027, will embed coastal change, transition, and adaptation as key priorities, aligning with the establishment of a national strategy but not committing to a fully established strategy with specific financial assistance details by a firm date immediately after 2027.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Supporting vulnerable coastal communities is a priority for the Government, and both the CAP and CTAP will be evaluated to inform future policy making. The CAP is managed by the EA and has been directly shaped by emerging findings from the CTAP and the evidence presented to the committee in December. The CAP will run between 2026/27 and 2028/29. A key objective of the CAP is to provide the evidence for a long-term model of support for homeowners at risk of coastal erosion. This includes developing and testing approaches to transition and relocation, with the aim of creating solutions that are practical, scalable, and applicable across different coastal settings. The CAP is also tasked with developing and testing a proof of concept for long-term coastal adaptation. This includes addressing complex legal issues, financial mechanisms, and the acceptability of proposed measures within affected communities. The pilot’s results – supported by technical guidance and evidence – will help establish a sustainable, long-term model of support. These outputs will inform the policy and investment frameworks needed to embed coastal erosion adaptation into national practice. The EA will ensure that the practical lessons and evidence generated from CAP and CTAP are shared directly with coastal practitioners through the Coastal Group Network and RFCCs, facilitating the national rollout of learning. The EA is currently reviewing its national FCERM Strategy and will incorporate the lessons learned from CTAP. The refreshed Strategy is expected to be published in 2027. The updated national FCERM Strategy will embed coastal change, transition and adaptation as key priorities, and will identify measures to support mainstreaming innovative measures to adapt to coastal erosion. We will also continue to develop and oversee implementation of the SMPs to inform investment and decision-making on the coast for the next 100 years and beyond.