Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 36
36
Accepted
Consult on mainstreaming Property Flood Resilience as routine flood recovery and reforming grants.
Recommendation
The Government should consult on how to make Property Flood Resilience (PFR) a routine part of flood recovery. This consultation should explore options for reforming the existing grant scheme to provide consistent, needs-based funding and wider accessibility, including simplifying the process, updating grant levels, and extending eligibility to renters and social housing tenants. Any changes should be implemented following consultation and evaluation. Local delivery models, such as block grants to councils, direct supplier payments, or insurer-led applications should be explored to increase uptake and reduce barriers. (Recommendation, Paragraph 119)
Government Response Summary
The government points to the independent FloodReady review and an Environment Agency commissioned review which engaged stakeholders on property flood resilience. It highlights that Defra continuously reviews the existing property flood resilience grant scheme and has made updates based on feedback and a 2022 evaluation, without committing to a new formal consultation on reforming the grant as requested.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government recognises the important role that property flood resilience can play alongside other types of flood defences to ensure more homes and businesses are resilient to flooding. The independent FloodReady review consulted a wide range of stakeholders about mainstreaming such approaches. The Environment Agency commissioned an independent review of property flood resilience in January to identify gaps and opportunities for market growth. To support this work, a leadership group was established comprising senior representatives from sectors needing to act together to help grow the market. These included representatives from finance, insurance, construction, government, housing, training bodies and research. Through webinars, workshops, meetings and surveys additional input was gathered from flood volunteers, flood affected residents, information providers, local authorities, researchers, professional institutions, government offices, and MPs. The final report, published in October, sets out 22 recommendations and approximately 50 supporting actions across six themes – from trusted products and services to regulatory reform, to research and innovation. The report provides a clear roadmap for boosting resilience and helping people recover faster from floods so that property flood resilience becomes as routine to property owners as insulation, fire safety, and home security. The report has been widely welcomed, and its recommendations are the result of extensive consultation. The government recognises its role in making property flood resilience a routine part of flood resilience and is already taking recommendations from the FloodReady review forward. The FloodReady Leadership Group, chaired by UK Finance, will report regularly to the Flood Resilience Taskforce to keep that group informed of the progress being made by the relevant industry stakeholders. The property flood resilience grant scheme may be activated following exceptional and extreme flooding. When activated, it provides up to £5,000 per property to enable resilience measures to be put in place. Households and small and medium enterprises are eligible to apply for the grant in qualifying areas, including landlords. Defra continues to review its operation after each activation, incorporating feedback from local authorities who administer it and those who benefit. This feedback is used to update guidance and provide clearer directions. An independent evaluation of the scheme completed in 2022 found it improved uptake among eligible households and businesses, prompting changes to eligibility criteria, duration, survey fees, and guidance.