STORY
The Government has announced a new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce to improve preparations for extreme weather and give affected communities a greater role in policy development. Its first meeting on 14 October will bring Floods and Drought Minister Emma Hardy together with representatives from more than 50 organisations, including the Environment Agency, Met Office, fire and rescue services, and farming, water and insurance sectors.
The opening meeting will assess preparedness for winter flooding and lessons from the ongoing drought. Members will contribute to longer term planning, with community groups helping inform policy. The taskforce will complement the National Drought Group, which will retain responsibility for coordinating the operational drought response.
The announcement follows what the Government describes as the third drought in five years. Ministers said at least £10.5 billion had been committed to flood defences in England between 2024 and 2036, including £1.4 billion for construction and repairs in 2026/27. Hardy said the taskforce would support a more coordinated approach to managing water and protecting communities and businesses.