UK Government cuts in flood defence threaten economy and livelihoods

UK Government cuts to funding for flood defence schemes across England and Wales could lead to increased destruction of homes and businesses, the country’s economy, and to coastal erosion.

The environment secretary, Caroline Spelman, acknowledged that the flood risks are rising because of climate change but imposed an annual cut of over 20 per cent on flood defence spending.

The extent of the cuts were announced on Wednesday (9 February), including major projects in Leeds, Thirsk and Morpeth having their funding cut, along with more than a thousand other smaller schemes.

One in six properties in the UK are at risk of flooding, according to the Environment Agency (EA), which has published its list of funded flood defence projects in England.

There are no funding plans for 2012-15 whilst the funding mechanism is updated next year. The changes leave more than 50,000 households unprotected by flood defences. Environment Minister, Richard Benyon, said projects have been “deferred not cancelled".

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) issued a press release in November 2010 saying: "a massive rise in Britain's flood damage bill highlights the need for more help for flood vulnerable communities". Figures show that the cost of flood damage since 2000 has leapt by 200 per cent.

The EA reported in 2009 that flood defence spending would have to reach £1bn a year over the next 25 years to maintain the existing level of protection. The coalition has budgeted £529 million a year to flood defence for the next four years – a significant decrease from the £665 million in 2010-11, with the economic situation blamed for the difference.

2011 has already seen catastrophic damage caused by flooding throughout the world and it is just the beginning of February. South Eastern Brazil experienced inundation and extreme landslides, and Australia’s Queensland experienced continued natural disasters. Heavy rain and flood damage was also experienced in the UK.

The Government cuts are contentious when weather patterns are unpredictable, and flooding will clearly continue to be a problem. Research from the International Pacific Research Center (IPRC), University of Hawaii, Manoa, explored the root of weather changes to help in defence planning.

The study observed that changes in trade winds and ocean temperature are causing the Earth to warm unevenly. These new findings could be used to improve computer models and aid climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in specific regions.

Political and environmental goals often clash; Conservative MP Anne McIntosh said that funding is also a huge problem, and “whichever government had won would have had [funding] difficulties."

Shadow Environment Secretary Mary Creagh, said: "The Tory-led government are taking a reckless gamble with people's homes and businesses."

Lord Chris Smith, chairman of the EA, which is responsible for flood protection, said: "We will continue to protect as many homes and businesses as we can. We will also seek financial contributions from organisations such as developers and businesses who directly benefit from schemes. Doing so will allow our funds to be stretched further."

Keith Wakefield, Labour leader of Leeds City Council said: "There is a great risk to the economy and prosperity of Leeds, which drives the regional economy. Business will not invest if they perceive a flood risk. If we need our economy to recover then you need to invest in the [flooding] risks you know are there.”

"We have protected flood and coastal defence spending as much as possible," said Benyon. He said 39 new projects would go ahead and that at least £2.1bn would be spent on flooding and coastal erosion by 2015.

Image: Johndol | Flickr