A record £10.5 billion investment will protect nearly 900,000 homes and businesses in England, with new rules designed to get flood defences built faster and fairer.

Communities that have long been left behind when it comes to flood protection are set to benefit from faster, fairer access to government funding, under sweeping reforms announced today (Tuesday 14 October).

The government’s updated flood defence plan marks the biggest overhaul in 15 years, promising to cut red tape, simplify funding, and direct more support to deprived areas most at risk of flooding.

Since the last update to the funding rules in 2011, councils have struggled with a complex and outdated application process that often left poorer communities behind. Innovative and nature-based solutions were also overlooked under the old system.

That’s now changing. The government has announced a record £10.5 billion investment to defend almost 900,000 properties across England, while introducing simpler funding rules to speed up the process.

Simpler rules, faster action

Under the new approach, which will apply from April 2026, all approved flood projects worth £3 million or less will now be fully funded by the government.

For larger projects, the government will cover the first £3 million in full, plus 90% of any remaining costs.

For example, a £10 million scheme would receive £9.3 million in government funding, leaving local authorities to find just £700,000—a far smaller contribution than before.

The aim is to remove barriers that have slowed down essential work for years and give councils, residents, and businesses confidence that protection is on the way.

Focusing on the areas that need it most

At least 20% of future investment will be dedicated to helping the most deprived communities over the next decade.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:  “For too long, deprived towns and cities struggled to secure the vital money needed for flood defences due to a complicated and outdated process.   

Our reforms will rip this up and help communities get back on their feet after floods – by unlocking economic growth, building new homes and creating new jobs.  

This government will be investing a record £10.5 billion into new flood defences and repairing existing assets to protect more people from the devastation of flooding”.

Driving growth and resilience

By protecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure, the reforms aim to spur local economic growth and safeguard high streets from billions of pounds in potential damages.

The updated rules will also recognize and reward local partnerships—for example, contributions from businesses, environmental groups, and farmers—so that every pound of taxpayer money goes further.

Caroline Douglass, Executive Director of Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said:  

“Our changing climate means it has never been more important to ensure communities are better protected from the devastating impacts of flooding.   

We welcome the government’s new approach to flood and coastal erosion investment, enabling a wider range of projects such as natural flood management and property flood resilience to be supported. Together with our partners, we will work to deliver these ambitions on the ground”.

Modern solutions for a changing climate

For the first time, refurbishing existing flood defences will receive the same priority as building new ones—recognising the pressure on ageing infrastructure.

The plan also commits to the largest ever investment in natural flood management, such as restoring wetlands and planting trees to slow water flow, providing both flood protection and environmental benefits.

Since taking office, the government says it has already delivered 151 new flood schemes, protecting more than 24,000 homes and businesses. This includes improvements to the Pevensey Bay Sea Defences in East Sussex, which now shield 3,225 properties.

A long-term commitment

With £10.5 billion committed until 2036, this represents the largest flood protection programme in England’s history. The investment will help communities prepare for the realities of climate change and ensure the nation’s infrastructure is fit for the future.

Recognising that flood assets were inherited in their worst condition on record, an additional £108 million has already been redirected toward urgent maintenance—stopping further decline and restoring public confidence that defences will hold when needed most.