151 new flood defence schemes completed in just 12 months, strengthening protection for communities across the country.

A year of real progress

More than 24,000 homes and businesses are now better protected from flooding after the government confirmed that 151 new flood defence schemes have been completed in its first year in office.

When this government took power, it inherited flood defences in the worst condition on record. Since then, record levels of investment in maintenance and repairs have turned the tide — improving the resilience of the flood network that protects homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses across the country.

As part of its Plan for Change, the government is committing at least £10.5 billion by 2036 — the largest flood defence programme in the nation’s history. This investment will help protect over 890,000 properties from the growing impacts of climate change through new construction projects, upgrades to existing defences, and targeted protection for vulnerable communities.

Investing in people, places, and the economy

Beyond preventing floods, this investment is helping to create thousands of jobs, boost local economies, and protect town centres from billions of pounds in potential damage. It’s also opening up land that was previously at high risk of flooding — unlocking space for new housing and supporting the goal of building 1.5 million new homes faster and more safely.

 “We’ve turned the tide”

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “We inherited crumbling flood defences in their worst condition on record – but in just a year, we have turned the tide and ramped up protection for the public. Under the Plan for Change, this government has delivered 151 flood schemes – safeguarding more than 24,000 properties from flooding in communities across the country.

Our huge £10.5 billion investment into new flood defences will protect more people from the devastation of flooding. It will also help our towns and cities to prosper by driving forward economic growth, creating new jobs and building new homes for future generations”.

Examples of completed schemes

Pevensey Bay Sea Defences, East Sussex: Protecting 3,225 properties from coastal flooding.

Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point Beach Management, Lincolnshire: Protecting 2,904 properties

Cockett Wick Seawall, Jaywick: Improved protection for 1,526 properties.

Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme (Phase 2), Yorkshire: Now protecting 804 properties.

Tackling a growing threat

Caroline Douglass, Executive Director of Floods and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said: “Flooding has a devastating impact on communities across the country and will continue to worsen as extreme weather is caused by our changing climate.

Our teams and partners have worked to deliver another 151 flood schemes that are vitally needed across the country – and are ready to take action to protect people and homes this winter.

We will continue to work with the government to deliver its long-term flood investment programme, ensuring the most vulnerable communities get the protection they need”.

Adrian Lythgo, Chair of the North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC), said:

“In the last 12 months, Regional Flood and Coastal Committees across the country have continued to work with the Government and all risk management authorities in their areas to keep momentum behind flood investment and to sponsor the development and delivery of flood schemes, including those highlighted today as well as deploying wider flood resilience measures to improve flood protection and recovery”.

Looking ahead

With over 6 million properties in England still at risk of flooding, the challenge remains significant. The government has already redirected £108 million for urgent maintenance to stop further decline of major defences and give communities renewed confidence in their protection.

By April 2026, the number of homes and businesses better protected is expected to rise to over 52,000.

Recent and ongoing projects include:

Canvey Island Flood Defence Scheme, Essex – £75 million renewal protecting 6,000 properties for the next 50 years.

Wyre Beach Management Scheme, Blackpool – Will protect 3,000 properties once completed.

Southsea Coastal Scheme, Portsmouth – A £180 million project to protect 10,000 homes and 700 businesses along 4.5 km of coastline by 2029, while creating new public spaces.

Building a more resilient future

These efforts are part of a broader two-year, £2.65 billion investment programme announced last March, which will see 1,000 flood schemes built or repaired across the country.

Together, these projects reflect a long-term national commitment — not only to protect people and property but also to ensure that communities can thrive in the face of a changing climate.