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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 December 2016 to Question 58001, on flood control, what her most recent estimate is of the number of lead flood authorities which have published a completed local flood risk strategy since 31 March 2016.

Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) report their progress with local flood risk management strategies annually. This data will next be collected in the spring and will provide an update on progress as of 31 March 2017. New data on those who have published a completed strategy since March 2016 is therefore not available.

Until this time we are specifically monitoring the situation of those 12 LLFAs that as of 31 March 2016 had not yet consulted on a draft strategy through the Regional Flood and Coastal Committees and the Environment Agency. As a result of this, I am aware this figure has now reduced to 8 and I have recently written to the 8 authorities encouraging them to complete their strategy as quickly as possible.