The money for projects over the next two years was announced by Floods Minister Emma Hardy, alongside changes to what she described as an “outdated” formula for flood defence funding.
IDBs (internal drainage boards) will bid for money to improve, repair or replace assets – including flood barriers, embankments and maintenance of watercourses.
The government says the aim is to ‘reduce risks and impacts from flooding to farming and rural communities across England’, and Ms Hardy said work between the Environment Agency and IDBs was already under way.
The minister also said that the complex 2011 formula for flood defence funding would be reviewed, with the aim of ensuring that the value of businesses and communities in rural areas is better taken into account – a long standing NFU lobbying ask.
A consultation is now expected in the new year.
‘The UK desperately needs a joined-up approach’
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos said IDBs worked “tirelessly and are proud of what they do”.
She added: “This allocation of £50 million will be a massive boost to the important role the boards play in helping to protect the best and most versatile agricultural land from flooding.
“The NFU also welcomes the review into the way flood defence funding is allocated.
“We have said for some time that the current system does not recognise the value of protecting agricultural land and the benefits it provides, or considers the impacts to rural businesses, to critical infrastructure and to the environment.”
“This allocation of £50 million will be a massive boost to the important role the boards play in helping to protect the best and most versatile agricultural land from flooding.”
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos
She added: “We have just experienced the wettest 18 months since 1836 with relentless rain and devastating floods rendering thousands of acres of farmland completely saturated and unusable.
“The UK desperately needs a joined-up approach – a comprehensive water management strategy that allows us to collaborate better with government, local authorities, water companies and the Environment Agency; one that allows farmers and growers to be part of the solution and prioritises UK food security as national security.”
Ms Hardy said that farming communities had faced the heaviest consequences of more intense weather events. She added that “farmers are the backbone of the nation”.
The minister said the money is part of an overall £2.4 billion of investment in UK flood and coastal erosion resilience until March 2026, and follows an existing £25m tranche of IDB funding.
