UK Government's Flood Defense Policy Criticized as Flawed and Inadequate

Over 200,000 Homes at Increased Risk Due to Lack of Maintenance and New Defenses, MPs Report

MPs have criticized the UK government's flood defense policy, stating that it is flawed and needs to do more to protect homes in England from flooding.
The Public Accounts Committee report reveals that the government has not maintained enough of its existing flood defenses or built enough new ones, putting over 200,000 homes at risk.
Despite a commitment to protect 336,000 more properties between 2021 and 2027, a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) in November revealed this was reduced to 200,000, a cut of 40%, with inflation cited as the major reason.
The MPs also criticized the government for continuing to build housing developments on flood plains without proper mitigation, calling it 'unforgivable'.
The government has invested over £6 billion since 2010 to protect properties from flooding and coastal erosion, with 381,000 homes protected since 2015, and over 102,000 protected during Storm Henk.