Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Fourth Report - Flooding
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 170
Published 8 February 2021
Government response
Eighth Special Report - Flooding: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2019–21 · published 30 Apr 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
1
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 12
We welcome the doubling of investment in flood defences announced at Budget 2020, amounting to...
Recommendation
We welcome the doubling of investment in flood defences announced at Budget 2020, amounting to £5.2 billion over the next six years. It is vital that measures to address the growing, long-term, flood and coastal risk in the face of …
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Government Response Summary
The government details its current £5.2 billion investment in flood defences for 2021-2027, stating it exceeds the Environment Agency's optimal investment levels and that EA guidance on climate change scenarios is regularly reviewed. However, it explicitly states that the level of investment beyond this current programme will be determined by the next government, thereby not committing to long-term funding pledges.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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7
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 35
The Government’s refusal to set a national standard for resilience to flooding means there is...
Recommendation
The Government’s refusal to set a national standard for resilience to flooding means there is uncertainty about the level of its ambition. We would expect the Government to show leadership in the face of severe and growing risk by setting …
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Government Response Summary
The Government does not accept a 'one size fits all' national standard, citing difficulties. However, it commits to developing national indicators to monitor resilience trends, strengthening reporting, and transforming local planning to drive progress towards greater flood resilience.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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10
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 44
The Government must provide leadership to ensure that the division of flood risk responsibilities among...
Recommendation
The Government must provide leadership to ensure that the division of flood risk responsibilities among various organisations does not result in local communities experiencing a less efficient and responsive approach to flood risk management than if all responsibilities were brought …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to transforming local flood risk planning by 2026 and will consult on changes, including providing further detail on responsibilities and integration; however, it states local authorities are already resourced and will only carefully consider future funding impacts.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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13
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 58
We recognise and pay tribute to the substantial effort undertaken by all emergency responders, as...
Recommendation
We recognise and pay tribute to the substantial effort undertaken by all emergency responders, as well as local communities and the armed services, in responding to the severe flooding over the autumn and winter of 2019–20. However, we are concerned …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to reviewing the role and capacity of the voluntary sector and community groups in flood incident response, and the Environment Agency is reviewing information resources and developing a five-year training plan for staff. However, the response focuses specifically on community and voluntary groups, rather than a broad review encompassing all bodies involved in flood response as recommended.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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20
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 81
It is clear that planning and risk management authorities must be empowered and resourced to...
Recommendation
It is clear that planning and risk management authorities must be empowered and resourced to effectively monitor and enforce the fulfilment of planning conditions in areas at risk of flooding. The Government should urgently review whether planning conditions to mitigate …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it believes existing enforcement powers for planning authorities are adequate and further powers are unnecessary. However, it commits to engaging with local authorities to understand how they use their existing powers, their available resources, and barriers to effective enforcement, and will consider further action based on these discussions.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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28
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 111
It is essential that work is done to improve understanding of the scale of surface...
Recommendation
It is essential that work is done to improve understanding of the scale of surface water flood risk at a national and local level. In particular, we are concerned to hear evidence of surface and foul water flooding caused or …
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Government Response Summary
The Government commits to improving data collection and sharing through statutory Drainage and Sewerage Management Plans and an update to the Surface Water Management Action Plan, but it does not explicitly quantify its overall ambition for surface water flood resilience.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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33
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
The Government has been clear that paying farmers for measures such as floodwater storage forms...
Recommendation
The Government has been clear that paying farmers for measures such as floodwater storage forms a key part of its plans. Any measures which call on farmers and land managers to allow their land to be used in this way …
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Government Response Summary
The Government committed to natural flood management, including doubling relevant projects and substantial investment. It affirmed its commitment to paying farmers for public goods under new schemes, with details being developed through stakeholder engagement and outlined in the Sustainable Farming Incentive, but did not specifically address farmer involvement at every stage, long-term maintenance advice, or liability.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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