Committee publication · Correspondence · 5 February 2026
Letter from the Secretary of State Environment, Food & Rural Affairs relating to the government’s response to the Committee’s report on Flood Resilience in England, 30 January 2026
From: Environmental Audit Committee
Inquiry: Flood resilience in England
Summary
Secretary of State Emma Reynolds responds to the Environmental Audit Committee's January 2026 report on flood resilience in England. The government reaffirms commitment to £10.5 billion flood investment until 2036, defends existing governance structures through the Environment Agency's FCERM Strategy refresh, and outlines ongoing work on local authority capacity, sustainable drainage systems, planning reform, and community communication.
Key findings
- Government investing record £10.5 billion in flood and coastal erosion risk management until 2036, protecting nearly 900,000 properties; 151 schemes delivered in first year; £30 million announced for Coastal Adaptation Pilots in East Riding, Norfolk and Suffolk.
- Environment Agency to refresh its statutory FCERM Strategy for England this year to strengthen long-term framework and define 'good' flood resilience; revised Strategy will clarify roles of delivery partners and emphasise national oversight.
- Local authorities receive over £69 billion in 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement (6.8% increase); government considers non-ringfenced funding appropriate as LAs best placed to decide local priorities.
- National Planning Policy Framework revised December 2024 requiring sustainable drainage systems in all new developments with drainage implications; government consulting on strengthening SuDS requirements to align with new National Standards.
- Flood Resilience Task Force established STREAM workstream to identify scalable approaches for strengthening workforce competence; action group tasked with improving flood reporting, advice and community support, with updates March and June 2026.
Government position
The government accepts the Committee's concerns and frames its response as already delivering on core priorities. On national governance, it argues existing Environment Agency oversight and the refreshed FCERM Strategy provide clear accountability. On local authority capacity, it emphasises £69 billion funding and supports local discretion. On sustainable drainage, it states planning policy has been tightened and consultations are underway on further strengthening. On community support, an action group will report progress by June 2026. The tone suggests the government views most recommendations as already in progress or under active consideration rather than requiring major new commitments.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Emma Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Toby Perkins MP, Chair of Environmental Audit Committee, Environment Agency, Flood Resilience Task Force, Local authorities / Lead Local Flood Authorities, Flood Forecasting Centre, Water UK
Notable line
“… this government is investing a record amount into flood and coastal erosion risk management (at least £10.5 billion until 2036) that's projected to better protect nearly 900,000 properties.”
Key Quotes
“… this government is committed to delivering long-term consistent and coordinated flood resilience. That is why this government is investing a record amount into flood and coastal erosion risk management (at least £10.5 billion until 2036) that's projected to better protect nearly 900,000 properties.”
“T he revised Strategy will define what 'good' flood resilience looks like and the roles of the various delivery partners that contribute to it.”
“The Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion, a 6.8% cash terms increase on 2024-2025.”
“The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was revised in December 2024 so all new development with drainage implications is required to incorporate sustainable drainage systems.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗