A report highlights that spending on flood defences in the UK will significantly decrease next year, urging a commitment of at least £1.5 billion per year from the Chancellor. Nearly two million people face flooding risks annually, and a third of England’s infrastructure is at risk. Current spending is inadequate, exacerbating economic pressures, costing £6.1 billion annually due to flood events. Experts suggest that a higher investment is needed to safeguard public infrastructure and the economy, emphasizing long-term savings from adequate flood defence funding.
Emma Howard Boyd, a visiting professor at the Grantham Research Institute, stressed the importance of adequate funding for flood defences, saying, "Every £1 invested in flood defences prevents around £8 of damage, with £3 of that being a direct saving to the government."
The report emphasizes that current spending on flood defences is insufficient, at £1.3bn, well below the £1.5bn recommended by the National Infrastructure Commission, highlighting a severe funding gap.
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