Flooding is one of the biggest risks facing the UK. Being flooded impacts people’s physical and mental health in many ways. In the UK 1 in 4 properties are at risk of flooding. The NFF supports and empowers people and communities hit by flooding and those at risk of flooding, helping them to recover from the trauma flooding brings. With more than 20 years on the ground experience, the NFF is the only organisation that gives a tailored, targeted response to meet the particular challenges faced by flooded communities.

 

We have unparalleled knowledge of the complex and multi-layered issues caused by floods and the difficult and lengthy recovery process. With the impact of climate change worsening year on year, our role has never been more important.

 

The NFF helpline takes more than 1,000 calls a year, giving people practical help and emotional support when they need it most. Our unique Flood Action Group model gives flood risk communities a powerful voice, connecting them with the individuals and organisations that can help drive positive change in flood management. We now support more than 300 flood action groups nationwide.

 

Our ask for your manifesto pledges

We know climate change means the number of communities and people living with the threat of flooding is set to grow and that repeat flooding is happening more and more in communities. The NFF is calling on all political parties to make a bigger, bolder, and sustainable approach to flood risk management part of their manifesto.

 

This includes a concrete commitment to:

• Overhaul current Flood Defence Grant in Aid funding criteria
• Tackle the root causes of flooding & give flood risk communities lasting protection
• Expand focus from bias towards PFR to all interventions
• Better funding for Local Authorities
• Stop building on flood plains, allowing space for water
• Improved collaboration between responsible agencies and communities.

 

An overhaul of the current Flood Defence Grant-in-Aid (FDGiA) funding criteria –  We believe this is no longer fit for purpose and is failing the people most in need of support. Rural and inner-city communities are particularly let down, and these communities are often the most socially and economically deprived.

 

The current funding regime is too weighted towards flood resilience and resistance measures, rather than tackling the root causes of flooding and giving flood risk communities lasting protection.

 

• A wider focus. The current approach is overly reliant on property flood resilience measures (PFR) and pushes responsibility onto flood victims. This is wrong. While PFR does have a place, many repeatedly flooded people are as resilient as they can be, and we must acknowledge PFRs limitations. Tackling the impact of climate change demands engineered and landscape level solutions and a coherent national and regional level flood risk management strategy.
• Better funding for Local Authorities. Chronic underfunding impacts their ability to support flood risk communities and must be addressed. Local authorities must be in a position to support these communities properly with support before, during and after a fl This includes enforcing planning decisions, addressing riparian ownership responsibilities, and upgrading and improved maintenance of assets.
• Building on flood plains must stop, allowing space for water. Where it is impossible to prevent development – in high density areas – schemes to mitigate flood risk must include wide reaching measures that consider existing homes and buildings.
• Improved collaboration between responsible agencies and communities is critical to better outcomes for flooded people. Agencies must put flooded communities at the heart of flood risk management.

 

To find out more about our proposals for better, more sustainable flood risk management and the experiences of flood risk communities

 

Contact: Tracey Garrett, CEO National Flood Forum.
tracey.garrett@floodforum.org.uk

Download this file