Welsh Government: Record levels of funding for flood defences

Minister Julie James yesterday said that the Welsh Government was ‘keeping communities safe from the growing risk of climate change’ as she confirmed record levels of funding for flood risk management.

Speaking in the Senedd, the Climate Change Minister confirmed a £75m investment as she published the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Programme for 2023-24.

The money will be given to Risk Management Authorities to reduce flood and coastal risk across Wales.

Flooding protection forms a key part of both the Programme for Government and the Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru.

The Programme for Government includes an ambitious target to provide increased flood protection to more than 45,000 Welsh homes and a commitment to expand natural flood management approaches which will to help tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

The Co-operation Agreement includes a joint commitment to invest more in flood management and mitigation and plan to respond to the increased risk of flooding.

“Recent reports by the International Panel on Climate Change, and the UK Climate Change Committee have reiterated the need for continued investment in mitigation, adaptation and resilience to respond to global warming challenges,” said Minister Julie James.

“That is why we continue to provide record levels of investment, to provide our Risk Management Authorities with the means to construct and maintain the infrastructure we rely on to keep our communities safe from the challenges posed by climate change.”