From Lyall Cairns, SCG & SCOPAC Chairman and Executive Head at Coastal Partners

Following their recent consultation, on Tuesday 14 October 2025, the government has announced its flood funding reforms. Thank you to those who responded to the consultation earlier this year.

The government has overhauled approach to funding and committed a record £10.5 billion to flood defences to protect nearly 900,000 properties.

The new rules – which will be used for the next flood programme starting in April 2026 – ensure that all prioritised flood projects valued at £3 million or less are eligible for full funding by the government. Prioritised projects valued higher than this will be eligible for the first £3 million of support upfront, and 90% of the costs thereafter.

For the first time, refurbishment of existing flood defences will be treated on an equal footing with new projects. This recognises the growing pressure on ageing defences and ensures vital repairs get the funding they need.

The vision of the new FCERM funding policy is to ensure we are:

• promoting the right floods solution in the right place at the right time
• helping to kickstart economic growth
• accelerating the construction of flood and coastal erosion projects
• protecting homes, businesses and agricultural land across the country

For further information, a press release and a consultation response document have both been published on gov.uk.