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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps the Environment Agency is taking to support Internal Drainage Boards in maintaining flood defences in low-risk flooding areas.

Protecting communities around the country from flooding is one of the new Secretary of State’s five core priorities for Defra.

The Government fully supports the important work internal drainage boards (IDBs) do in managing water and flood risk, benefiting communities, businesses and the environment. To support this important work, and in recognition of the significant impact flooding has on farms and rural communities, the Government has announced [Written Ministerial Statement HCWS214] additional financial support for IDBs.