Protect 52,000 Properties from Flooding and Coastal Erosion (2024-2026)

Commitment: Protect 52,000 properties from flooding and coastal erosion during the 2024-2026 investment period, as part of the wider £10.5bn FCERM programme (2021-2027).

Owner: Environment Agency / Defra

Target date: March 2026

Metric: Number of properties benefiting from flood and coastal erosion risk management improvements (FCERM Annual Report).

Status: active

Context

This is the delivery target for the current two-year slice of the £10.5bn FCERM investment programme. The programme was originally designed as a six-year programme (2021-2027) but actual investment levels are determined year-by-year via Spending Review settlements.

Properties are counted when flood defence schemes are complete and deliver the designed level of protection.

Relationship to wider programme

• ea-10-5bn-flood-investment-2021-27 — The 52,000 property target is the 2024-2026 component of the wider programme that aimed to protect 336,000 properties across 2021-2027
• Total programme target (2021-2027): 336,000 properties protected; by FCERM 2024-25 Annual Report, the programme has protected approximately 115,000 properties since 2021

Key context: 6.3 million properties at risk

The EA’s NaFRA 2024 assessment found 6.3 million homes and businesses at risk of flooding in England (up from 5.5 million in prior assessments — reflecting improved climate-adjusted risk modelling). The FCERM programme protects a significant number of properties but cannot eliminate the underlying risk for millions of homes.

Delivery history

• [2021] £10.5bn programme announced; 336,000 property target set
• [2024-25] FCERM Annual Report: approximately 25,000 properties protected in 2023-24; programme on track but capital pressures noted
• [March 2026] Period target: 52,000 properties