Recommendation 22

When critical national infrastructure is impacted by extreme weather, the actions of local responders are absolutely vital for maintaining the health and security of local people. We welcome the Government’s recognition of the need for reform, under a specific programme led by DLUHC. However, we recommend that the LRF reform programme considers specifically the role of LRFs in overseeing local CNI 54 Readiness for storms ahead? Critical national infrastructure in an age of climate change vulnerabilities to extreme weather and other effects of climate change, including the likely impact locally of extreme weather events. As recommended by the Lords Risk Assessment and Risk Planning Committee, the Government should also establish a much clearer statutory remit for LRFs, via reforms to the Civil Contingencies Act. Finally, we expect to see clear join-up between the DLUHC programme and the Cabinet Office’s new emergency response and resilience structures; the Government should outline to us, in its response to this report, how the Cabinet Office will remain engaged in local emergency planning.