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UK floods taskforce told to start looking at drought
Emma Hardy will bring together agencies and industry groups as the Environment Agency says 6.3 million homes and businesses in England remain at flood risk.
The government launched a new taskforce this week to assess winter preparedness, with Defra hosting the first meeting alongside the Met Office and Environment Agency.
Record-Breaking temperatures during summer 2026 prompted concerns regarding readiness for the coming months, as the Met Office warned of 'heightened potential' for stormy weather this autumn.
Last winter featured four named storms—Bram, Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra—with England receiving 42% more rainfall than average; the Environment Agency estimates approximately 6.3 million homes and businesses remain at risk.
Defra Minister Emma Hardy announced at least £10.5 billion is committed up to 2036 to protect infrastructure, stating, "We're facing extreme weather, with flood and drought intertwined, but the Government is taking decisive action."
This year's climate phenomenon is likely the strongest in living memory, with peak impacts expected later this year, positioning the taskforce to strengthen national resilience against evolving weather threats.