“To ensure the nation is more resilient to flooding, the government is investing £4.2 billion between last April and March 2029 to repair and replace existing defences and construct new ones, with hundreds of projects set to be completed. The new target for 200,000 properties to benefit from this investment will deliver a total economic benefit of £27.9 billion in avoided damage as communities gain better protection and growth is delivered in every postcode.”

Where it stands

A new target set at the start of Flood Action Week. The release is dated 12 October 2026, so "last April" is read as April 2026. It says the government spent £2.65bn on flood defences in its first two years and better protected almost 62,000 properties, beating a target of 52,000. The card moves when the Environment Agency reports properties better protected under the new programme.

What has happened

1. Oct 2026The government sets a target for 200,000 properties to benefit from £4.2bn of flood defence spending by March 2029, Promised
2. Mar 2029200,000 properties better protected from flooding due by March 2029, Deadline

About the cost

The government's own figure: £4.2bn between April 2026 and March 2029, shown as £1.4bn a year on average. The release gives no split by year. Low–high is an editorial ±10% because the source gives a central figure only.

• Defra and Environment Agency press release, 12 Oct 2026: New 'one stop shop' for flood preparedness launched as we approach more weather whiplash

More detail

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