Flood Detection and Prevention: Technological Assistance

Earl of Kinnoull Excerpts

Thursday 19th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for raising that interesting example. I will certainly go back and talk with colleagues about how we make sure that we adapt to changing environmental factors. We say that local flood risk management planning should follow this sort of adaptive approach over time, which takes account of climate change and other needs, such as demographic change and food security, and ensure that climate change protections are built into the design of new flood defences.

[The Earl of Kinnoull (CB)]

My Lords, no matter how good one is at detection and prevention, there will always be floods. That is why it is important to have insurance. The Flood Re scheme, which was generated some years ago and was time-limited, applies only to buildings that were built before 1 January 2009 and only to residential buildings, so anything that has a micro-business in it is not insurable. As so much time has moved on, and as it is important to support micro-businesses in flood-plain areas, does the Minister agree that it is time to look again at Flood Re to see whether the eligibility criteria could be expanded?

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I will have to write to the noble Lord with details about our future plans for Flood Re. He is right that it is important that the Environment Agency focuses on outreach, not only to households but to businesses, to help them adapt to changing weather conditions and demographic changes, as well as to new developments which will have an impact on flood risk in their local area.