Flood Preparedness 2026-02-05
2026-02-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The recent flooding has affected many communities, prompting a need for better flood resilience measures. The CIRIA C790 code of practice is aimed at promoting property flood resilience but may not be widely known.
I draw the attention of the House to my membership of the all-party parliamentary group on flooding and flooded communities. Protecting homes from flooding is vital in communities such as Pilning, Severn Beach, Yate and Chipping Sodbury, yet the CIRIA C790 code of practice for property flood resilience seems to be a well-kept secret. Will the Minister work with the construction and insurance sectors to raise public awareness of the code, and will she consider formalising it through legislation, ensuring that my constituents have the protection and the lower insurance premiums that they deserve?
We recently produced a report, through Peter Bonfield, called “FloodReady”, which was exactly about how we incentivise more people to get property flood resilience. It was about working with contractors, manufacturers and everybody involved in the industry to make this a mainstream option for more people. I highly recommend that the hon. Lady has a look at that report; I hope that she and her constituents find it really useful.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Formalising the CIRIA C790 code of practice through legislation
Recommending The Hon. Lady Look At An Existing Report
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Farmers in Southport have reported that watercourses are not being maintained sufficiently, there is a lack of investment in drainage infrastructure, and there's limited capacity to address changing rainfall patterns. They believe an internal drainage board could help manage these issues.
Farmers in my constituency report that watercourses are not being sufficiently maintained, there is not enough investment in drainage infrastructure, and there is a limited ability to deal with changing rainfall patterns and rising water tables. They tell me that the creation of an internal drainage board could help with all that. I know that work has been done to establish new IDBs through a statutory instrument, so will the Minister tell us the current status of that work, and will she please expedite it being laid before the House?
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the fantastic work of the internal drainage boards in managing water levels, reducing flood risks and supporting communities, businesses and farmers alike. Of course, we are working hard on our statutory instrument. I am sorry that I cannot give him an exact date, but I can guarantee that it is something I am committed to doing.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Providing a specific timeline for laying the statutory instrument before the House
Guarantee Of Commitment Without Providing A Concrete Date
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
▸
Context
50 mm of intense rain fell across parts of Somerset, exacerbating saturated ground conditions. With more unsettled weather forecasted and high spring tides imminent, communities fear a repeat of the 2013-14 floods. Residents need resources to prepare extreme weather resilience plans.
Last week, 50 mm of intense rain fell across large parts of Somerset and exacerbated the already saturated ground, with a major incident declared on Tuesday. With more unsettled weather in the forecast and high spring tides imminent, residents have told me that they are worried they could be facing a repeat of the devastating 2013-14 floods. With the increasingly unpredictable, intense and changing patterns of rainfall, communities must be given the resources they need to prepare extreme weather resilience plans. I thank the Minister for her commitment to meet me in Somerset later this year, but will she bring forward that planned visit to Glastonbury and Somerton to witness the devastating impact that flooding is having on my communities while the floodwater levels remain up?
The hon. Lady raises a really important point—I have been following the situation really closely, and it is devastating. She is quite right to point out the trauma and upset caused by flooding. We invested £80 million in Somerset between April 2024 and March 2025 on flood and coastal risk management, and we will allocate another £75 million to Somerset between April 2025 and March 2026. I will check whether my diary aligns so that I can make an earlier visit.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy