Ministers say the work was urgently needed.
Author: Shaunna BurnsPublished 34 minutes ago
It’s hoped thousands more homes and businesses across the East of England are now safer from flooding, as new figures reveal the impact of a major government drive to upgrade defences.
9 new schemes were completed in the region over the past year, with the aim of providing better protection for almost two thousand properties. It’s part of a nationwide effort which has seen one hundred and fifty-one projects delivered, safeguarding more than 24,000 homes and businesses across the country.
Ministers say the work was urgently needed. When the government came to power, the UK’s flood defences were said to be in the worst condition on record. Since then, extra funding for repairs and new construction has helped protect schools, hospitals and town centres. In the East of England, the improvements aim to give families and business owners peace of mind, after years worrying about the risk of severe weather.
The investment is part of the government’s “Plan for Change,” which promises at least ten and a half billion pounds for flood projects up to twenty thirty-six. Officials say the programme is not only about safety—it also supports economic growth by protecting farmland, unlocking land for new houses and creating thousands of jobs.
The Environment Secretary, Emma Reynolds, says the changes show a clear shift in ambition. She called the transformation a “turning of the tide,” with more people shielded from the devastation that flooding can cause. The government now plans to extend the programme, aiming to have over fifty-two thousand properties better protected by the spring of twenty twenty-six.
Officials hope the investment will help local economies recover faster after storms, prevent billions in property damage and support the building of new homes in safer areas. With extreme weather becoming more common and over six million properties in England still at risk, the push to strengthen flood defences is set to continue for years to come.