Flood Defences Work, We Could Use a Few More Schemes

Could the Government be doing more on flood defences? Maybe so, after all £1 billion is the sort of sum dished out on various diversity or de-colonialist projects overseas without any debate in Parliament. There is a strong argument that the Government should spend money on protecting the lives and homes of its own citizens first.

Here’s the word from Fathom, who have estimated the potential cost-benefit equation;

As the Government is considering its long term spending plans, new research shows that flood defences prevent £1.15 billion in flood-related damage to UK homes each year. The analysis from Fathom, a leading flood risk modelling company, was commissioned by Flood Re, a joint initiative between the UK Government and insurance industry.

The research commissioned is for households alone. The total figure would exceed £2 billion if all types of damage were included (business, industrial and agricultural) and costs (such as alternative accommodation). With one in four UK properties at risk of flooding, further defences are critical. Six of the wettest years on record in the UK have occurred since 1998, and recent storms – including Babet, Ciaran and Debi – have led to £570 million in insurance payouts.

According to the new research, annual losses to households would be 2.8 times higher if not for existing levels of flood protection.

Climate change is expected to increase flood risk further, with the number of properties vulnerable to river and coastal flooding rising 27% by 2069 – from 2.4 million to 3.1 million.

Dermot Kehoe, Director of Communications and Transition, Flood Re, said:

 “The UK needs long-term flood defence investment of at least £1 billion a year to ensure we protect our homes and businesses from the devastation flooding brings. We must continue to mitigate the damage caused by flooding to ensure the insurance market has the ability to provide affordable cover to those at risk.

“Flood Re remains committed to working with Government, insurers and communities to drive forward flood resilience. By prioritising resilience alongside protection, we can build a future where homes, businesses and local economies are not just defended against flooding, but prepared to withstand and recover from it.”

Hannah Gurga, Director General, Association of British Insurers, said: 

“Insurers continue to be at the forefront of climate change, paying out a record £585 million in claims last year to help households recover from extreme weather events. If we’re going to protect communities across the country with climate-resilient properties, we must shift from reactive and remedial action to a greater focus on prevention. Adequate and long-term Government investment in maintaining and strengthening our flood defences is essential and we hope to see the Government commit to this within its Spending Review.”

Dr Oliver Wing, Chief Scientific Officer, Fathom, said:

“The value of flood defences to UK households is unequivocal, saving them more than £1bn combined each year on average and up to £13bn during very severe floods. As our nation’s infrastructure ages, rebuild costs balloon, and climate change fuels ever more intense flood events, funding the maintenance and expansion of the UK’s flood protection systems has never been more critical.”