make provision about the responsibilities and duties of certain authorities and agencies in respect of inland flood prevention; to make provision about the powers of local flood authorities and Internal Drainage Boards; to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the funding of local flood authorities and Internal Drainage Boards; to provide for the designation of Internal Drainage Board pumps as critical national infrastructure; to require the Secretary of State to prepare and publish a report on the potential merits of establishing a Flood Compensation Fund to support homeowners whose primary residence has become unsaleable as a direct result of flooding; to make provision about flood reinsurance schemes; to make provision about the responsibilities of developers and water companies in respect of the provision of drainage for new housing developments; to make water companies statutory consultees for certain planning applications; to place a duty on fire and rescue services to respond to flood events; to make provision about national and local digital mapping of flood incidence and risk; and for connected purposes;
The Flooding Bill is a Ten Minute Rule Bill tabled by George Freeman.
Is this Bill currently before Parliament?Yes. This Bill was introduced on 28 January 2026 and is currently before Parliament.
Whose idea is this Bill?As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (George Freeman), not the Government.
What type of Bill is this?A Ten Minute Rule Bill is a process of tabling a bill, where an MP has 10 minutes to advocate for their legislation to the Commons and the Minister responsible.
So is this going to become a law?Ten Minute Rule Bills do not receive any legislative priority and will only become an Act of Parliament if there is unanimous consent of MPs.
However, the legislative proposal may be adopted by the Government, particularly if the proposed legislation can be implemented without a Bill.
Would you like to know more?See these Glossary articles for more information: Ten Minute Rule Bill, Private Members Bill, Process of a Bill
Next Event: Friday 10th July 2026 - 2nd reading
Last Event: Wednesday 28th January 2026 - 1st reading (Commons)
Bill Progession through Parliament