More than 24,000 homes and businesses have been better protected from floods as the government said it had delivered 151 flood defence schemes in its first year in power.  

The government is investing a record £10.5bn until 2036 – the largest flood programme in history which is projected to benefit more than 890,000 properties – by constructing new flood schemes, repairing existing defences and protecting communities from the devastating impacts of climate change.

Newly completed schemes during the government’s first year include:

• The Pevensey Bay Sea Defences in East Sussex which has better protected 3,225 properties.  
• The Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point Beach Management scheme in Lincolnshire which has better protected 2,904 local properties. 
• The Cockett Wick seawall improvement scheme in Jaywick which has better protected 1,526 properties.   
• Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme in Yorkshire which has better protected 804 properties.

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.”

With the frequency of extreme weather events increasing and more than six million properties in England at risk from flooding, homes and businesses continue to face unprecedented impacts which are costing the UK economy billions every year. 

The government has redirected £108m for urgent maintenance works, halting the decline of major assets and ensuring communities can feel confident that they are protected. 

The government is committed to ensuring that further progress is made to safeguard communities from future flooding. By the end of the current two-year investment programme in April 2026, the total number of properties better protected by new defences is expected to rise to over 52,000 properties. 

In July, the £75m Canvey Island Flood Defence Scheme was completed. This scheme renewed 3km of tidal defences in Essex and better protected more than 6,000 properties for the next 50 years.  

Work continues on the Wyre Beach Management Scheme in Blackpool, which will better protect 3,000 properties when completed. The Southsea Coastal Scheme in Portsmouth is also progressing, with an injection of £180m to protect 4.5km of coastline and create new and appealing public spaces. When completed by 2029, this will provide protection for 10,000 homes and 700 businesses. 

On top of the 151 schemes confirmed as complete, last March the government announced that 1,000 flood schemes across the country will be built or repaired to protect thousands of homes and businesses, underpinned by a two-year, £2.65bn investment.