# Flood defences 93.5% in good condition by 2029

> “Today, as Environment Agency teams across the country continue their work to ensure vital protections remain strong, the government has set a target for asset condition to rise further to 93.5% by March 2029.”
>
> — HM Government; Press release (Defra and the Environment Agency), 12 October 2026

- **Status:** Promised
- **Status ladder:** Promised → In plan → Legislated → Funded → Delivering → Delivered
- **Policy area:** [Housing & environment](https://ledgergov.uk/promises/area/housing-and-environment)
- **Speaker:** [HM Government](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/hm-government)
- **Made on:** 12 October 2026
- **Where:** Press release (Defra and the Environment Agency)
- **Deadline:** 31 March 2029
- **Cost a year:** No costing published
- **Who it affects:** People and property protected by the Environment Agency's flood defences in England
- **When:** By March 2029
- **Paid for by:** The government's £4.2bn flood defence programme
- **Quote source:** https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-one-stop-shop-for-flood-preparedness-launched-as-we-approach-more-weather-whiplash (checked word for word on 13 October 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0)
- **Last updated:** 13 October 2026
- **Card:** https://ledgergov.uk/promise/uk-flood-defences-condition-2029

## Where it stands

The share of flood defences at or above their required condition was 93% at the end of March 2026, by the release's figure, after years of decline. The target is to raise it to 93.5% by March 2029. The Environment Agency reports asset condition each year; the card moves on its figure for the year to March 2029.

## Timeline

- 12 October 2026, Promised: The government sets a target for 93.5% of flood defences to be at or above their required condition by March 2029, up from 93%
- 31 March 2029, Deadline (to come): 93.5% of flood defences in required condition due by March 2029

## About the cost

No separate figure: it is paid for from the £4.2bn flood defence programme for April 2026 to March 2029.

## Sources

- [Defra and Environment Agency press release, 12 Oct 2026: New 'one stop shop' for flood preparedness launched as we approach more weather whiplash](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-one-stop-shop-for-flood-preparedness-launched-as-we-approach-more-weather-whiplash)

## Checks

- Checked automatically by AI Journalist, not yet verified by an editor.
- Checked by AI Journalist (automated) on 13 October 2026.

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