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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the financial situation of internal drainage boards and what plans they have to ensure that internal drainage boards can collect levies independently to that of local government.

Internal drainage boards (IDBs) are local independent public bodies responsible for managing water levels and flood risk supporting and better protecting farms and communities in predominately low-lying areas in England. IDBs are funded by the beneficiaries of their important work, farmers, who pay drainage rates, and local authorities, who pay special levies.

The Government is aware of recent impacts on IDBs, predominately from rising costs and especially rising energy costs, and is keeping in close contact with IDBs, the Association of Drainage Authorities and relevant local authorities on this.

In recognition of the rising costs and following the winter storms the government will be providing £75 million in funding to IDBs in 2024-2025, on a one-off basis, to support agricultural land drainage and continue the important work IDBs do in helping to better protect farmers and communities from flooding. This will support IDBs to accelerate asset recovery from the winter storms and will also provide opportunities to modernise and upgrade their assets. More information will be available shortly, and we will work with the sector on delivery.

In addition, DLUHC is providing £3 million to support those local authorities in 2024/25 who are experiencing the biggest pressures with IDB special levies. DLUHC will confirm the distribution of this funding in the coming months.