Funding for flood defences in the UK is set to double to £5.2 billion in this week's Budget.

Speaking on Sky News, new Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the investment would help to build 2,000 new flood and coastal defence schemes and would be used to better protect 336,000 properties in England over the next six years, commenting:

"We are ambitious when it comes to investing in our country's infrastructure and flooding is a part of that.”

The funding, which is expected to be targeted in every region and will be available from next April – doubles the current £2.6 billion six year 2015- 2021 flood defence programme. 

On a visit to Bewdley in Worcestershire yesterday Prime Minister Boris Johnson also announced a new, £200 million fund to pilot innovative approaches to improving flood resilience.

Bewdley was one of a number of towns across the country severely hit by flooding following the wettest February on record – the town is now in a recovery operation as River Severn levels continue to reduce.