From Defra

This policy statement sets out the government’s long-term ambition to create a nation more resilient to flood and coastal erosion risk.

The statement has been informed by the:

• Environment Agency’s consultation exercise on the updated National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy
• results of the government’s flood and coastal erosion: call for evidence in 2019
• an evidence review of the concept of flood resilience
• advice from the National Infrastructure Commissionand the Committee on Climate Change

The Secretary of State for the Environment has written to Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, about the government’s policies to create a nation that is more resilient to future flood and coastal erosion risk.

See coverage by the BBC here. Positive response from CIWEM. 

This week, the EFRA committee questioned the EA leadership team on its new flood and coastal risk management strategy, the objectives for achieving resilience to flooding, how investment will be targeted to deliver this, and the lessons learned from recent flooding in England.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will be holding its first oral evidence session as part of its inquiry into flooding in England.

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/52/environment-food-and-rural-affairs-committee/news/147281/flooding-in-england-environment-agency-to-be-questioned/

Terms of reference for the inquiry

1. Are the current national and local governance and co-ordination arrangements for flood and coastal risk management in England effective?
2. What lessons can be learned from the recent floods about the way Government and local authorities respond to flooding events?
3. Given the challenge posed by climate change, what should be the Government’s aims and priorities in national flood risk policy, and what level of investment will be required in future in order to achieve this?
4. How can communities most effectively be involved, and supported, in the policies and decisions that affect them?
5. With increasing focus on natural flood management measures, how should future agricultural and environmental policies be focussed and integrated with the Government’s wider approach to flood risk?
6. How can housing and other development be made more resilient to flooding, and what role can be played by measures such as insurance, sustainable drainage and planning policy?

Read about the inquiry here.