Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of prolonged periods of dry weather on the risk of surface water flooding when heavy rainfall occurs; and what steps she is taking to help prepare for that risk.

Defra keeps flood risks under continual review. The dry conditions of recent months have meant the ground is hard and compacted across the country, increasing the risk of localised surface water flooding in all areas following heavy rain or thunderstorms.

The Government is supporting improved surface water flood forecasting and risk mapping. The daily Flood Guidance Statement, produced by the Environment Agency and Met Office, provides regular assessments of the risk of surface water flooding. This helps lead local flood authorities, who manage local flood risks from surface water.