The Conservative’s left flood defences in the worst condition on record, putting lives and livelihoods across the country at risk. This is a dereliction of duty.
With the frequency of extreme weather events only continuing to rise leading to devastating impacts for people, homes, business and communities – costing the UK economy billions each year – decisive action to invest in adapting to climate change has never been more important.
As well as protecting families from the devastation of flooding, the investment supports economic growth by protecting businesses, supporting jobs, and supporting a stable economy in the face of the increasing risk of flooding as a result of climate change.
It will also protect farmland which has been badly hit by recent storms, in turn helping to safeguard farm businesses and farmers’ profits.
During the two-year investment, 1,000 flood schemes have been or will continue to be supported. This year around £430 million is going towards their construction, while a further £220 million will be used to reinstate flood defences to their full standard of service and original design life to help protect communities. Further funding has been earmarked for repairing existing flood assets utilised in flood events, such as pumps, as well as important activity to warn and inform the public of flooding risks.
As the frequency of extreme weather events continues to increase due to climate change, there are more and more devastating impacts for communities across the country, costing the UK economy billions each year.
This investment is part of the Government’s Plan for Change, delivering security for working people and renewal for our country. It will boost economic growth in local communities, by protecting businesses, delivering new jobs, and supporting a stable economy in the face of the increasing risk of flooding as a result of climate change.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:
The role of Government is to protect its citizens. However, we inherited flood defences in their worst condition on record.
Through our Plan for Change, this government will deliver a decade of national renewal and economic growth. As part of that we are investing a record £2.65 billion to build and repair over 1,000 flood defences across the country.
Flagship schemes to receive funding this year include:
- Derby Flood Risk Management Scheme in Derbyshire, which will receive £34.6 million and protect 673 homes.
- North Portsea Island Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management Scheme in Hampshire, which will receive £13.8 million and protect 1,081 homes.
- Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme in Lancashire, which will receive £10.4 million and protect 1,537 homes.
- Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill Flood Defences in Dorset, which will receive £12.2 million and protect 135 homes.
- Benacre and Kessingland Flood Risk Management Scheme in Suffolk, which will receive £10.1 million and protect 86 homes.
- Brighouse Flood Alleviation Scheme in Yorkshire, which will receive £5 million and protect 414 homes.
Caroline Douglass, Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management for the Environment Agency, said:
Protecting communities in England from the devastating impact of flooding is our priority and this is more important than ever as climate change brings more extreme weather to the nation.
The delivery of these schemes will be welcome news for homeowners and businesses, who have experienced flooding in the past and may face more extreme weather as our climate continues to change.
Our focus is now on working with local councils and Regional Flood and Coastal Committees to deliver these schemes on time, ensuring as many properties as possible are protected.
The Government has prioritised £140 million to ensure that 29 schemes, which are in progress but struggling with cost pressures, can be delivered without further delays, protecting nearby communities as soon as possible. The list of supported schemes has also been confirmed by the Environment Agency and includes flood defences in Great Yarmouth and the Alverstoke Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Scheme on the south coast.
Full list of schemes across Lancaster and Wyre:
| Project Name | Project Type | Risk Source | Indicative Government Investment 2025/26 (£) |
| Burrow Beck Conveyance Improvements | Defence | River Flooding | 980,000 |
| Glasson Dock Gate | Capital Maintenance | Sea Flooding | 235,000 |
| Lancaster, Mill Race surface water study | Defence | Surface Water Flooding | 40,000 |
| Lentworth Drive at Burrow Beck | Defence | River Flooding | 1,000 |
| Lancaster Port works | Capital Maintenance | Tidal Flooding | 450,000 |
| Janson Pool 23-24 | Capital Maintenance | TBC | 2,489,000 |
| RiverMede 23-24 | Capital Maintenance | TBC | 686,000 |
| Yoad Pool 23-24 | Capital Maintenance | TBC | 582,000 |
| Wild Boar 23-24 | Capital Maintenance | TBC | 468,000 |
| Catterall Bridge Replacement | Capital Maintenance | River Flooding | 590,000 |
| Garstang Gate Repair | Capital Maintenance | River Flooding | 50,000 |
Read more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-build-over-1000-flood-schemes-across-the-country