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Select Committee · Public Accounts Committee

Flood defences

Status: Closed Opened: 25 Oct 2023 Closed: 3 Apr 2024 5 recommendations 22 conclusions 1 report

Lives, livelihoods and wellbeing are put at risk by flooding and coastal erosion. According to the Environment Agency (EA), an estimated 5.2m homes and businesses in England are at risk of flooding, and around 700 properties are vulnerable to coastal erosion over the next twenty years. Government set the EA a target of better protecting …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report - Resilience to flooding HC 71 17 Jan 2024 27 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
5 Recommendation Seventh Report - Resilience to flooding Acknowledged

Set out improved understanding of investment decisions impacting geographical distribution and smaller communities.

Defra does not have sufficient understanding of the impact of its capital investment decisions on geographical distribution and we are concerned that smaller communities are losing out. In response to a prior Committee recommendation, Defra undertook by July 2021 to identify areas which are likely to lack enough local authority …

Government response. The government agreed but largely outlined existing funding mechanisms and previous actions. It committed to publishing a review of local authority spend shortly, but for other points, it stated it `continues to consider` measures and refers to `already taking` actions.
HM Treasury
24 Conclusion Seventh Report - Resilience to flooding Acknowledged

Flood Re established in 2016 to provide affordable flood insurance to householders

Flood Re, a joint initiative between the insurance industry and the government, was established to ensure affordable flood risk insurance is available to householders. It was established by the Water Act 2014, launched in 2016, and due to be in place until 2039. In 2022, Government implemented some changes to …

Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's observations about Flood Re and states that Flood Re will publish its next Quinquennial Review in July 2024, with the Secretary of State considering its recommendations. The department will write to the Committee by January …
HM Treasury
26 Conclusion Seventh Report - Resilience to flooding Acknowledged

Flood Re's future insurance mechanism to be reviewed ahead of 2039 expiry

Flood Re’s existence is due to end in 2039, by which time it was expected that insurance would be affordable to householders given the anticipated reduction in flood risk as a result of improvements to flood resilience. Defra told us it would keep under review what is the right insurance …

Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's observation regarding Flood Re's transition and states that Flood Re will publish its next Quinquennial Review in July 2024, which the Secretary of State will consider. The department will write to the Committee by January …
HM Treasury
27 Conclusion Seventh Report - Resilience to flooding Acknowledged

Flood Re consistently publishes its required five-year transition plans outlining flood management strategies.

Flood Re is required to publish a transition plan every five years outlining how they plan to manage the transition. Flood Re published its most recent Transition Plan in July

Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's observation about Flood Re's requirement to publish transition plans, referencing the upcoming Quinquennial Review in July 2024 and the Secretary of State's consideration of its recommendations. The department will write to the Committee by January …
HM Treasury

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
10 Jan 2024 — Joint correspondence from Tamara Finkelstein CB, Permanent Secretary, Departmen…