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Defra Announces Taskforce To Strengthen Flood And Drought Resilience

2 hours ago
1 min read

Farming representatives will join a new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce as Defra seeks to improve preparations for extreme weather.



The group is due to meet for the first time on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. Floods and Drought Minister Emma Hardy will bring together representatives from more than 50 organisations, including the Environment Agency, Met Office, mayoral authorities, emergency services and the farming, water and insurance sectors.


Its opening meeting will assess preparedness for potential winter flooding and consider lessons from the ongoing drought.


An earlier Floods Resilience Taskforce first met in September 2024, bringing together government departments, emergency responders and organisations including the National Farmers Union to improve flood preparedness and longer-term resilience.


The new group's work will incorporate the experiences of affected communities to inform future policy.


Hardy said: "We're facing extreme weather, with flood and drought intertwined, but the government is taking decisive action."


The taskforce will complement the National Drought Group, which will continue coordinating the operational response to drought.


Defra also highlighted measures already announced to support farmers, including a £65 million funding boost for resilience and changes to make on-site reservoirs easier to build.


Separately, the government has committed at least £10.5 billion to flood protection in England between 2024 and 2036.


 
 
 

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