DEFRA pledges support for household flood defences

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has outlined plans to contribute at least £5 million to support households in England that are at particularly high risk of flooding.

The scheme is aimed at properties which are not protected by traditional community level defences and will be in addition to help already provided by local authorities, the insurance industry and householders themselves.

DEFRA is looking at the possibility of providing a free home flood survey and offering grants to cover some of the costs of the measures needed.

It has launched a consultation to establish how best the money can be spent and will consider the views of interested parties this autumn.

Environment Minister Phil Woolas acknowledges that traditional community level defences are not a viable answer to flooding in all areas.

He has pledged Government support for people who make relatively simple changes to protect their homes, such as installing door-boards and air-brick covers, water-proofing walls and floors, and raising electrics.

According to the Minister, research suggests that these measures can cut the financial costs of flooding by between 50% and 80%, while also lessening disruption and distress to households.

The average cost of such work is £4,000 to £5,000.

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