Coastal Erosion: Housing
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has plans to review the eligibility criteria for the Coastal Erosion Assistance Grant, including the 15 June 2009 cut-off date, and if she will consider alternative approaches to providing support for more recent homeowners at risk of coastal erosion.
Answered by Emma Hardy
The Coastal Erosion Assistance Grant (CEAG) supports local authorities and householders at greatest risk of loss from erosion. To ensure CEAG remains effective in supporting those at greatest risk of loss from erosion we have already started reviewing the grant. The CEAG review will consider the available data on coastal erosion from the National Coastal Erosion Risk Map and the potential number of properties at risk. It will also take into account evidence that has been supplied by local authorities on the costs of demolition over the last five years. This will allow us to determine any appropriate updates or changes to the eligibility criteria and grant value.
Defra and the Environment Agency are reviewing CEAG as part of the Government response to the EFRA Committee’s report on coastal erosion. The review will be completed within the timescales set out in the EFRA Committee report.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →