Environment Agency calls for billions to fight flood

17th July, 2009

According to the Environment Agency, there are over 5 million people living in properties at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea that translates into on in six in England alone. Predictions of climate change which will affect rising sea levels and a higher level of winter rainfall has resulted in the Agency calculating that a further £20 billion will need to be spent on flood defences in England alone by 2035.

The agency has estimated that more than 2.4 million properties are at risk of flooding and of those, nearly half a million homes are at significant risk. Currently 3 out of 5 people affected by a potential fifty per cent chance of flooding have taken some action in preparing for flooding.

The current annual flood defence budget is £570 million and the government department is calling for an increased by £1 billion and is proposing that households should be offered incentives to make their own flood defences and this should then be taken in to consideration when calculating household insurance premiums. It is also suggesting that social landlords should be able to offer cheaper premiums to their tenants which they will be able to collect at the same time as the rent.

 

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