The UK experienced its wettest winter since records began in 2013-14. Extensive and continuous rainfall resulted in widespread flooding with large parts of the country underwater for sustained periods.
The NFU has responded to the NAO’s investigations. We highlighted the importance of valuing both the benefits to ‘people and property’ but also infrastructure and agriculture when appraising flood risk management work. We would like to see the appraisal methodology used by Defra reflect the value of prime agricultural land to the UK’s food production sector and wider rural economy, in terms of jobs and sustaining economic growth.
Our response also highlighted the need:
- to appraise the financial impact of long duration flooding, especially where extensive areas of land are flooded such as on the Somerset Levels.
- for greater transparency around what maintenance activities are conducted by the Environment Agency and their associated costs.
- for flexible Government funding that enables more sustainable local maintenance solutions to be delivered through local partnerships such as Internal Drainage Boards where the Environment Agency are seeking to withdraw from maintenance.
- to appraise the value for money provided by the Environment Agency’s current framework contracts for flood risk management.
- for a better valuation of the costs associated with the permanent loss of land, such as within managed realignment schemes.