Welsh Assembly Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, will today announce £32 million capital funding to reduce the risk from flooding to over 2,100 homes and businesses across Wales.

The funding, which is allocated for 2017-18, is the largest capital budget for flood risk management  in recent years and demonstrates the priority the Welsh Government places on supporting communities.

During her speech the Cabinet Secretary will also confirm over £144 million capital funding for flood risk management, in addition to the £150 million coastal programme, over the five year Government term. Of this, £5 million will support design and development work for coastal risk management projects.

The Cabinet Secretary will also use the speech to announce that £1 million of the flood budget will be ring-fenced each year for the next four years to support smaller scale works and maintenance to be carried out by Local Authorities.

This follows the successful trial of a grant scheme to support smaller works, which provided funding for 73 projects to reduce risk to 700 properties across Wales.

Lesley Griffiths said:

“Flooding can have a devastating impact on the lives of those affected. We know that climate and weather patterns are continuing to change and as a result flooding is likely to become more frequent. We therefore need to do all we can to reduce the risk to our communities while helping them to adapt to the risks they face which are beyond control.”

“I am pleased to confirm we will be providing £32million in 2017-18, our largest capital budget in recent years, to help reduce the risk of flooding to thousands of homes and businesses. This highlights the priority we place on protecting and strengthening communities against flooding.”