The Government has announced a Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce, broadening its existing floods initiative as Britain faces water shortages and winter flood risks.
DEFRA's announcement on Sunday, 11 October, said the group would hold its first meeting under the new remit on Wednesday, 14 October.
More than 50 organisations involved
Floods and Drought Minister Emma Hardy will meet representatives of more than 50 organisations, including the Environment Agency, Met Office, mayoral authorities, fire and rescue services, and the farming, water and insurance industries.
The meeting will examine winter flood preparedness and lessons from the ongoing drought. Community groups will help inform future policy.
Broader remit for an existing initiative
Although DEFRA describes the initiative as a new taskforce, Sky News reports that it is a relaunch of the existing floods body with an expanded remit. Sky also reports that it will have no new powers.
A parliamentary statement in March confirmed that the previous taskforce had operated since September 2024, reviewing preparedness and helping improve forecasting and emergency-response training.
The National Drought Group will continue coordinating the operational drought response, alongside the taskforce's longer-term work.
Existing investment commitments
The Government reiterated at least £10.5 billion for flood defences between 2024 and 2036. This is an existing commitment, rather than additional funding announced for the taskforce.
In March, ministers set out £4.2 billion for new and existing flood defences over 2026/27 to 2028/29, including £1.4 billion in the first year.
The longer-term programme covers England. Flooding policy is devolved, so those investment figures should not be read as a new UK-wide allocation.