Flood Resilience Boost: Over 24,000 Homes and Businesses Protected Across England

As of October 8th, 2025, the UK government has announced significant progress in boosting flood resilience across England. Over the past 12 months, the Environment Agency has completed work on 151 flood schemes, such as building new defenses or improving existing ones. These efforts have better protected more than 24,000 properties from the devastating impacts of flooding.

The government's commitment to increasing flood defense spending is paying off. In the two-year period until April 2026, £2.65 billion will be invested, a £250 million increase from the previous administration's pledge. Looking ahead, the government has promised £7.9 billion in flood defenses from 2026 to 2036, bringing the total investment to over £10.5 billion over the next 12 years.

This investment comes at a critical time, as the number of UK properties at risk from flooding is growing due to rising sea levels, more volatile rainfall patterns, and outdated flood defenses. The Environment Agency estimates that by 2050, around eight million properties (one in four) in England will be at risk of flooding.

"Flooding has a devastating impact on communities across the country and will continue to worsen as extreme weather is caused by our changing climate," said Caroline Douglass, executive director of floods and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency. "Our teams and partners have worked to deliver another 151 flood schemes that are vitally needed across the country - and are ready to take action to protect people and homes this winter."