Committee publication · Special Report · 22 June 2026 · HC 300
1st Special Report - Erosion of trust: the impact of coastal erosion on communities: Government Response
Summary
This is the Government's response to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's March 2026 report on coastal erosion's impact on communities. The Government accepts most recommendations, committing to £1.4 billion in flood and coastal defence investment for 2026–27 (part of a £10.5 billion programme to 2036), launching Coastal Adaptation Pilots, and reviewing the Coastal Erosion Assistance Grant by the Committee's deadlines. It rejects government-backed erosion insurance, citing the uninsurable nature of coastal erosion as a permanent rather than sudden risk.
Key findings
- Government committed £609 million to coastal protection (2024–26) and announced £1.4 billion for 2026–27, supporting over 600 schemes across England and benefiting nearly 900,000 properties.
- £30 million Coastal Adaptation Pilots launched January 2026 to test selective property purchases and long-term financing in East Riding of Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.
- Government rejects government-backed insurance for coastal erosion (unlike Flood Re for flooding), arguing erosion is a known, permanent risk unsuitable for insurance pooling.
- Government will publish guidance on whether coastal erosion is 'material information' in property conveyancing by late 2026, following October 2025 home-buying reform consultation.
- Coastal Erosion Assistance Grant (CEAG) review underway to assess 2009 eligibility date and grant value; results due by December 2026, implementation by April 2027.
Government position
Partially accepts. Accepts most Committee recommendations on human impacts, community engagement, conveyancing transparency, CEAG review, relocation strategy pilots, Shoreline Management Plan integration, and wider benefits assessment. Rejects government-backed erosion insurance on grounds that coastal erosion is an uninsurable permanent risk (unlike flooding). Declines to publish an indicative funding ratio for small projects, citing the need for evidence-led flexibility. Commits to publishing guidance on conveyancing material information and updating the FCERM Strategy by 2027.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Environment Agency (EA), Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCCs), Coastal Groups, Local Authorities
Notable line
“… coastal erosion is a typically known, permanent and progressive risk, rather than an unforeseen event.”
Key Quotes
“… around £609 million was allocated into protection from sea flooding, tidal flooding and coastal erosion. £516 million of this was allocated by government with the remainder funded by other risk management authorities and private contributions.”
“… on 17 March 2026, the Government announced that £1.4 billion will be invested in flood and coastal defences between April 2026 and March 2027, supporting more than 600 schemes spanning every region of England.”
“By contrast, coastal erosion is a typically known, permanent and progressive risk, rather than an unforeseen event. The likelihood, location and long - term outcome are often well understood in advance, meaning losses are inevitable rather than uncertain.”
“A key objective of the CAP is to provide the evidence for a long-term model of support for homeowners at risk of coastal erosion. This includes developing and testing approaches to transition and relocation, with the aim of creating solutions that are practical, scalable, and applicable across different coastal settings.”
“The CAP is also tasked with developing and testing a proof of concept for long-term coastal adaptation. This includes addressing complex legal issues, financial mechanisms, and the acceptability of proposed measures within affected communities.”
“The updated national FCERM Strategy will embed coastal change, transition and adaptation as key priorities, and will identify measures to support mainstreaming innovative measures to adapt to coastal erosion.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗