England sets up taskforce to prepare for floods and drought

England has set up a Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce as it faces the prospect of a wetter winter after a long period of hot, dry weather.

The group, chaired by Floods and Drought Minister Emma Hardy, is due to meet for the first time on 14 October.

It will bring together representatives from the Environment Agency, Met Office, local authorities, emergency services, farming organisations, water companies and insurers.

Its first meeting will focus on preparations for possible flooding and lessons from England’s ongoing drought, which is its third in five years.

The taskforce will also hear from people affected by floods and droughts to inform future policy.

It will work alongside the National Drought Group, which will continue to coordinate the immediate response to drought.

The government says it has committed £4.2 billion for flood defences in England from April 2025 to March 2029, and aims to improve protection for 200,000 properties.

The taskforce will consider whether further changes are needed, while a new Environment Agency website offers advice on flood risk, household plans and warnings.