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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many flood defence schemes are planned to begin construction under the Government's six-year flood defence programme in 2015.

161 schemes are due to start construction this financial year: 2015/16. This is part of the Government’s £2.3 billion six-year programme that will better protect 300,000 homes.