Flood and drought taskforce to convene ahead of potential extreme winter weather

A Government-chaired taskforce will meet this week to assess how prepared the UK is for flooding this winter.

The group aims to strengthen the UK’s resilience to flooding and drought after record temperatures and widespread drought hit the country this summer and ahead of an expected wet winter.

It comes as the Met Office has warned of a “heightened potential” for wet, windy, stormy weather and flooding this autumn – and the Environment Agency has urged households to check their flood risk, sign up to alerts and make a flood plan to prepare for any emergencies.

Defra minister Emma Hardy will host the taskforce’s first meeting on Wednesday and bring together the Met Office, Environment Agency and mayoral authorities as well as the farming, water and insurance industries.

Ms Hardy said: “We’re facing extreme weather, with flood and drought intertwined, but the Government is taking decisive action.

“We’re taking a smarter, more joined-up approach to manage the nation’s water and set up our new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce.

“This will put communities and businesses at the heart of our work and will make sure the UK is ready for whatever the weather brings next.”

At least £10.5 billion is committed up to 2036 to protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure from the growing threat of flooding.