A report is warning that spending on flood defenses will sharply decline next year and is urging the chancellor to commit at least £1.5 billion annually in the spending review to safeguard both the economy and the public. Almost 2 million individuals across the UK face flooding each year, which is equivalent to the combined populations of Birmingham, Sheffield, and Newcastle upon Tyne.
A third of England’s critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, energy networks, and water systems, is also at risk, potentially threatening national security. Economists estimate that the annual cost of flood events to property, buildings, and transport infrastructure is £2.4 billion, as highlighted in the Public First report.
The report further emphasizes that for every year of flood events, there is a decade-long economic impact worth at least £6.1 billion. Current spending on flood defenses is £1.3 billion, which is less than the £1.5 billion recommended by the National Infrastructure Commission. Emma Howard Boyd, a visiting professor at the Grantham Research Institute and former Environment Agency chair who led the report, calls this a missed opportunity for the government to address past shortcomings.
She notes that every £1 invested in flood defenses prevents around £8 of damage, with £3 of that being a direct saving to the government, as more than a third of the damage affects publicly-owned infrastructure such as roads, railways, schools, and hospitals.
The risk of flooding is increasing sharply, with 6.3 million properties already at risk and this number set to rise to 8 million by 2050 due to climate change. Boyd also expresses concern about the location of new homes being built, highlighting that over 100,000 of these are likely to be in the highest risk flood zones unless the government takes action.
The report reveals that 74% of the top 10% of English constituencies most vulnerable to flooding are represented by Labour. Additionally, a majority of 66% of people polled do not believe the country or their local areas are adequately prepared for future flooding.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/20/flood-defences-spending-warning
