Written statement (Wales) on Progress on Commitments in response to NICW’s report, Building Resilience to Flooding in Wales by 2050 - Mar 25

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: I am pleased to provide an update on the actions the Welsh Government is taking forward in response to the recommendations made by the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) in its 2024 report, Building Resilience to Flooding in Wales by 2050.

Flooding and coastal erosion are among the most immediate and visible impacts of climate change facing communities in Wales. Our approach is firmly rooted in the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management, the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Wales, and the Well‑being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. Together, these frameworks guide our ambition to reduce risk, build resilience and support communities to adapt to a changing climate.

This statement sets out progress to date on the commitments that were made in my response to the report in April 2025. Given the scale and long‑term nature of the challenge, these actions will continue into the next Senedd term, aligned with future government priorities.

We have continued to focus on delivering for communities while strengthening the foundations for longer‑term, catchment‑based and collaborative approaches. This includes record levels of investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management, expanded delivery of Natural Flood Management (NFM) schemes, and closer working with partners such as Natural Resources Wales, Local Authorities, communities and the voluntary sector.

The Welsh Government is committed to continuing to protect communities while preparing Wales for a future of greater climate risk. The work set out in this statement demonstrates clear progress, a strong direction of travel and a commitment to partnership, resilience and long‑term adaptation.

Update on our Commitments in Response to the NICW RecommendationsRecommendation 1 – Strategic Leadership and Governance

The Welsh Government recognises the need for stronger strategic integration across water, flood risk, land use and climate adaptation. We have been considering this recommendation alongside wider reform of water governance, including the findings of the Independent Water Commission (IWC).

Within our Green Paper, Shaping the Future of Water Governance in Wales, published in February this year, we accepted the principles of the IWC's recommendations in relation to the need for Government to set strategic direction (recommendation 1) and to establish a national system planning function for water (recommendation 3). Any mechanisms to implement these must be aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015 and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, which emphasise the need to take an integrated approach. This consultation is open until 7 April and we are seeking further views on these points. Given the scale of reform underway, decisions on new national governance arrangements, including any new statutory roles, will be a matter for the next Senedd term. In the meantime, we continue to strengthen coordination across existing bodies and to work closely with partners to improve strategic alignment.

Recommendation 2 – Long‑term Flood and Coastal Resilience Strategy

Wales already benefits from a National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management reaching to 2030 and beyond, supported by long‑term climate projections and adaptation planning. We intend to return to the question of a longer‑term, integrated resilience strategy in the next Senedd, aligned with future government priorities and wider reform of water and climate policy. Our ambition is to work towards a refreshed strategic framework looking ahead to beyond 2030, which again links in with our Green Paper consultation and the IWC's recommendation to the setting of strategic direction for the water sector. We have agreed in principle to proceed with a new strategy in the next Senedd term and seek further views on priority areas that Welsh Government consider when setting the strategic direction for the water system.

Recommendation 5 – Catchment Partnerships

We are clear that catchment-based approaches are central to delivering long-term flood resilience and wider environmental benefits. Welsh Government is working closely with Natural Resources Wales to explore how existing mechanisms can support more systematic catchment partnerships, most notably through collaboration on the Taff Strategy as our pilot for catchment-based approaches in Wales.

Catchment approaches require a variety of long-term interventions from a wide range of stakeholders to fully realise the host of available benefits. NFM measures are a part of this and are increasingly being delivered at a catchment scale, with projects in areas such as the Wye and Usk demonstrating how collaborative approaches with landowners and communities can reduce flood risk while delivering wider benefits. 

Recommendations 6 & 8 – Community Resilience, Engagement, and a Water Resilience Flood Forum

Building community resilience is a priority for this Government. Work is underway with the National Flood Forum and other partners to strengthen support for communities before, during and after flood events, and to explore future opportunities for collaboration. Officials are considering the outcomes of the Welsh Government's deliberative engagement review to inform future engagement approaches, to ensure that all demographics and vulnerable populations are appropriately engaged. 

We are also considering options to explore the role of ‘agents of change' and how such roles could complement existing structures and support offers. Further work will be needed to assess feasibility, resourcing and alignment with wider resilience and civil contingencies work.

Recommendation 7 – Streamlining Plans at Catchment Scale

We agree that greater integration of flood and coastal erosion plans at a catchment scale is needed over time. This work links closely to wider water governance reform and catchment planning proposals we are consulting on through the Green Paper process, specifically in relation to the IWC's recommendations on systems planning and the rationalisation of water industry planning. We see the potential for bringing together planning outputs and defining a longer-term, integrated plan for our catchments. We recognise the need to rationalise the water industry planning framework that has evolved over time. Any changes must be deliverable, inclusive and capable of improving and supporting long-term resilience and sustainability. There are real opportunities to improve how we undertake planning within our catchments and we are seeking further views from the public on these.

Recommendation 9 – NFM and Adaptation Funding

The Welsh Government continues to invest in NFM, with over £5 million committed for projects in 2026-27. We are working to explore how public funding can be complemented by private and partnership investment, including infrastructure providers and landowners.

We recognise that public funding alone will not meet the scale of the challenge and are exploring opportunities to strengthen partnership funding models, including in coastal and infrastructure contexts. We are developing a new approach to sustainable finance intended to increase and diversify the funding available so that we can effectively tackle the climate and nature emergencies. 

Recommendations 10 & 11 – Multi‑year and Sustainable Funding

I recognise the benefits that multi‑year funding settlements would bring for planning, skills and delivery. Welsh Government budgets are set annually, meaning such a commitment poses a challenge. However, we will be reviewing our NFM Fund guidance to consider possibilities for greater flexibility within the programme, and are also using mechanisms such as direct awards through schemes including Ffermio Bro and the Integrated Natural Resources Scheme. 

Alongside Recommendation 9, officials are exploring a wider range of funding options to understand green finance opportunities, including ethical private investment aligned with Sustainable Investment Principles, partnership working with infrastructure providers, and engagement with the insurance sector. This includes the development of a nature finance framework, and work will continue into the next Senedd term.

Recommendation 13 – Property Flood Resilience 

Local Authorities and Natural Resources Wales remain best placed to deliver property flood resilience (PFR) measures, particularly when delivered on a community basis. Welsh Government will continue to fund PFR in this manner while exploring across flood risk management and housing portfolios how support for those at highest risk could be strengthened in line with future government priorities.

Recommendations 14 & 15 – Education and Skills

Flooding and climate adaptation are already embedded within the Curriculum for Wales, with reform of secondary education qualifications underway. I am particularly encouraged by progress on strengthening the workforce supporting flood and coastal erosion risk management and mining legacy. To stimulate a supply of staff into the profession, in 2025/26 we worked with WLGA to support six work-placement opportunities for graduates and undergraduates in Local Authorities. I was delighted to meet three of the placement students at a recent site visit; they were very impressive and represent the workforce of the future. In 2026/27, this programme is being expanded, and we hope to see more young people joining the profession.