"20 fold" leap in UK flood cost

Thursday, 22 April 2004 12:00 AM

The cost of flooding in Britain could leap by a factor of 20 over the next century, new figures are set to show.

However, this cost could be vastly reduced by limiting the amount of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere.

The government report "The Foresight Flood and Coastal Defence Project" was conducted by 60 climate change, engineering and economics experts.

Another recommendation expected by the report, set to be published today, is greater spending on flood defences.

The report will examine the effects of a changing climate on future coastal and riverside communities.

Those living in flood-affected areas are expected to bear a cost to their mental and physical health, the report will say.

Areas worst affected in the UK are in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire and the South East.

Currently five million people, in 1.7 million homes, are in areas at risk of flooding throughout England and Wales.

The government report is also set to argue for an incremental rise in spending on flood defences, as well as for better planning to head off increases in the number of homes put at risk.

The government has said it will use the findings of the report to help create a new strategy on flooding and coastal defence, due later this year.

In 2000 the worst floods in the UK for at least 300 years saw 10,000 homes affected.

British insurance companies have said that they will stop their universal flood insurance policy if Treasury reforms reducing the flood defence budget are enacted.

Tags: