UK Warned Cuts to Flood Defense Are Too Dangerous to Consider
The Climate Change Committee is “seriously concerned” the government will seek to reduce funding for flood resilience programs in an effort to find cost savings.
Flood water, from the burst banks of River Arun following heavy rains during storm Henk, close to residential properties in Pulborough, United Kingdom, in 2024.
Photographer: Jason Alden/BloombergTakeaways NEW
The UK should spare flood defense programs from budget cuts to be announced in June, as the country is already woefully unprepared for worsening disasters linked to climate change, a government adviser has said.
“We are seriously concerned that resilience and climate adaptation may be cut in the spending review,” said Julia King, chair of the Climate Change Committee’s adaptation group. “I know the government is under a lot of pressure to make cuts, but this isn’t the easy one to cut.”