The Division for Atmosphere Meals & Rural Affairs (Defra) has revealed its capital works funds for flood defences forward of publication of the huge infrastructure pipeline this week.
Defra somewhat Trumpishly proclaimed it to be “the biggest flood defence funding programme in historical past” though setting secretary Steve Reed later clarified that this solely referred to England’s historical past.
The £7.9bn dedicated over ten years to guard buildings and infrastructure from the specter of flooding equates to £790m a 12 months. That is for capital works solely, not day-to-day operational and upkeep (useful resource) spending.
In February the federal government dedicated to spending £2.65bn on flood defences for the 2 years April 2024 to March 2026 however that included each capital and useful resource spending.
Over the next three years, to March 2029, that quantity goes as much as £4.2bn has been allotted to flood defences.
Atmosphere Secretary Steve Reed stated: “Defending residents is the primary responsibility of any authorities. But we inherited crumbling flood defences of their worst situation on report – exposing hundreds of houses. Beneath the Plan for Change, this authorities is taking pressing motion with the biggest flooding programme in our nation’s historical past. We’ll go away no stone unturned to guard our residents.”
Atmosphere Company chief government Philip Duffy stated: “As our altering local weather continues to convey extra excessive climate to the nation, it’s by no means been extra important to spend money on new flood defences and restore our present property.
“This long-term funding shall be welcome information for companies and householders, who’ve too typically confronted the harmful nature of flooding. Our precedence will proceed to be working with the federal government and native authorities to make sure as many properties are protected as doable.”
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