Flood risk management and funding

This House of Commons Library Briefing Paper provides an overview of national flood defence spending; how flood defence funding works; and who manages flood risk in England. This publication highlights that:

• Funding for flood defences has been the subject of political debate and scrutiny, particularly in relation to whether the current government is spending enough or more than previous governments.
• Over the five years under the coalition government flood defence expenditure did increase overall compared to the five-year period of the previous government, but it was originally set to decrease.
• The eventual total spending under the coalition government was higher due to the additional funding provided at the end of the period in response to the winter floods 2013-14.