Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Flooding

Thursday 19 March 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Funding for flood protection has been announced, including support for areas in North Northumberland.
  • At least 20% of future flood and coastal erosion funding will be directed towards the most deprived communities.
  • Farmers and agricultural land play a crucial role in mitigating flood risks for villages and rural communities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Smith Lab North Northumberland
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP noted concerns about flooding in his constituency and welcomed recent funding announcements. He referenced a national assessment that one in four homes could be at risk of flooding by 2050.

Question

I warmly welcome the funding just announced, including for areas in my constituency—Budle bay, Belford and areas along the Coquet river. The national assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk assessment says that one in four homes are projected to be at risk of flooding by 2050. Will the Minister give us further assurances about what the Government will do on an ongoing basis to address those concerns?

Answer from Emma Hardy

I know how much my hon. Friend cares about this issue. As well as announcing the biggest ever major flood investment, we are also changing the flood and coastal erosion funding policy. As part of those changes, at least 20% of future investment will be set aside to help the most deprived communities. The reforms will make it quicker and easier to deliver flood defences, and ensure that deprived communities continue to receive vital investment. We are also investing at least £300 million in natural flood management over the next 10 years.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 David Smith Lab North Northumberland
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP noted the benefit of investment in the river park scheme for reducing flood risk and turned attention to the role that farmers and agricultural land can play in effective flood defence.

Question

Salisbury has benefited enormously from investment in the river park scheme, which has alleviated flood risk to the centre of the city. My attention now turns to the villages, the role that farmers and agricultural land can play in effective flood defence, and the consequential impact on food supply. How does the Minister view the role of farmers in a collaborative approach to flood defences?

Answer from Emma Hardy

The right hon. Gentleman raises an important point. Quite often, we find that flooding farmland is used to protect villages and rural communities. I have been thinking about the best way to take this issue forward, after meeting a farmer when I went to Somerset, and seeing the extensive flooding right across his land. We have put £91 million into internal drainage boards, which is the most money that has ever gone into trying to support farmers in draining agricultural land. I am actively considering this issue, and am having conversations about it at the moment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not provide a specific commitment or timeline for involving farmers in flood defence strategies beyond ongoing consideration.

How: Actively Considering This Issue, Having Conversations About It

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email