Around here we know that the next flood is on its way – we just don’t know when, how deep or for how long.\u00a0 We also know that local land drainage infrastructure maintenance is lacking – and that the local flood defence projects are currently under review.<\/p>\n
I asked Claude (Ai) to consider the availability of Natural Flood Management (NFM) funding.<\/strong>\u00a0 Here is the initial Ai response:<\/p>\n Let me search for more specific information about current NFM funding availability.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Based on my search results, yes, DEFRA Natural Flood Management funding is still available, though the landscape is evolving.\u00a0 Here’s what I found:<\/p>\n Current funding status:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The government is committing a record 2-year investment of \u00a32.65 billion in flood and coastal erosion risk management. This covers April 2024 to March 2026. However, in the Autumn Budget 2024 the Labour Government said that it is providing \u00a32.4 billion over 2024-25 and 2025-26 for flood defences, but added that “significant funding pressures”<\/span><\/strong> on this budget meant that “it is necessary to review these plans from 2025-26”.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Specific NFM programmes:<\/strong><\/p>\n