VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Flood Control

Asked by Gideon AmosLiberal DemocratDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 25 February 2026UIN 112917

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Environment Agency flood defence assets recorded a change in condition grade between consecutive inspections in each of the last five financial years, broken down by whether condition improved or deteriorated.

Answered by Emma Hardy

The Environment Agency’s (EA) Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) assets play a critical role protecting communities from the impacts of flooding. The EA has an annual programme of around 110,000 asset inspections, which can increase in-year to 165,000. The EA’s asset register is updated daily, meaning the baseline is in flux, preventing a meaningful comparison of figures between years. The EA therefore reports the percentage of assets at or below target condition. During quarter 2 of the 2025/26 financial year, 92.9% of the EA’s assets were currently at or above target condition.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim