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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they take into account social vulnerability and wider deprivation when making decisions about flood protection investment.

The Governement’s contribution to capital flood protection schemes (Flood Defence Grant in Aid) takes into account the increased vulnerability of households in deprived areas. Schemes in these areas received an enhanced national grant contribution and so are more likely to be fully funded by Government. Levels of deprivation are assessed using the existing Index of Multiple Deprivation, commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government.