Written statement (Wales) on Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Programme 2026-27 - Feb 27

Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: I am pleased to provide an update on the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Programme for 2026–2027. This Senedd term has seen the Welsh Government provide the highest level of investment in flooding ever delivered in Wales, with more than £377 million committed to flood risk management. This represents a significant achievement and demonstrates the Welsh Government's serious and sustained focus on flood and coastal erosion.

Last year, I ensured that more than £77 million was made available to Risk Management Authorities, the highest annual investment to date. For 2026–27, we are going even further, with over £85 million being allocated to continue building on record progress. This includes almost £43 million in capital funding for new schemes across Wales, ensuring continued momentum by delivering vital work in communities. A full breakdown and map of this investment has been published on our website.

In addition, revenue funding will continue to support Risk Management Authorities and the Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre in their year‑round flood and coastal risk management responsibilities. This continued investment reflects the Welsh Government's strong commitment to the day‑to‑day work that makes such a difference in communities across Wales. It enables RMAs to maintain important assets, raise awareness, issue warnings, employ specialist staff and undertake key investigations that help keep communities informed and prepared. The Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre will continue to enhance this work by providing high‑quality data and evidence to Local Authorities, Natural Resources Wales and other partners, strengthening decision‑making and supporting the collective effort to manage flood and coastal risks.

The prolonged wet conditions Wales has faced this winter underline just how critical sustained investment has become. Once again, we are experiencing persistent and intense rainfall, aligning with projections that show rising sea levels and increasingly severe storm patterns in the decades ahead. This shifting climate is already placing greater pressure on our rivers, coasts and drainage systems, a reality brought sharply into focus by events over recent winters.

This winter brought widespread flooding across Wales, with serious impacts in areas such as Monmouth, Skenfrith and Carmarthenshire. In December 2025, Storm Claudia affected communities in Caerphilly, Denbighshire, Powys, Torfaen, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Newport, with almost 400 homes and businesses impacted. In response, almost £2 million in emergency capital flood funding was issued, offering immediate support to communities dealing with the distress and disruption caused by this winter's flooding.

These events have underlined the growing challenges we face as weather patterns become more extreme. Meeting this challenge demands continued delivery of the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management and the ambitions set out in the Programme for Government.

RMAs play a central role in achieving these outcomes. NRW and Local Authorities continue to design and deliver new schemes, issue warnings, respond to incidents, and maintain extensive networks of assets across Wales. Much of this infrastructure is unobtrusive, such as culverts, embankments, swales, and other features that protect communities quietly but effectively. Ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential, and the contribution of individuals working within these communities is recognised and appreciated. 

To help Local Authorities manage localised events, over £7.4 million will be provided through the Small Scale Works Grant to deliver 106 schemes next year. The strong level of applications received, and the high number assessed as eligible, reflects the consistently well targeted submissions from Local Authorities and the close working relationships that have been built with flood officials over many years. Now in its eleventh year, the grant remains a trusted and effective mechanism for delivering quick, practical and cost‑effective improvements to existing infrastructure, giving Local Authorities the flexibility to respond rapidly to emerging issues.

These smaller projects are frequently delivered by local construction companies, supporting jobs, building local expertise and contributing to the local economy. Together, they show how targeted investment at a community level continues to deliver meaningful benefits across Wales.

Turning to the larger planned schemes, the 2026–27 Programme will advance major developments in Cardigan, Dwyran, Porthmadog and Skenfrith, laying the groundwork for future construction that will bring long term benefits to these communities. In addition, new construction activity will begin at Edward Street, Ystrad Mynach (Caerphilly), Maes-y-Ffynon Lane (Rhondda Cynon Taf), School Bank Road, Llanrwst (Conwy), Blackpill (Swansea), Bontnewydd (Gwynedd), Llandysul / Pont Tyweli (Carmarthenshire). These schemes will benefit a number of communities that have previously experienced flooding.

The Coastal Risk Management Programme (CRMP) is entering its final phase, representing £214m of investment enabled through public sector borrowing powers. The remaining four schemes in Conwy, Gwynedd, and Cardiff continue to move steadily towards completion. Cardiff Council and Knights Brown are constructing the £35.197 million coastal defence project at Rover Way, as part of the Welsh Government CRMP initiative.

The construction works include large scale rock revetment, earth embankments, sheet piling, Dysol blocks and erosion protection along the coastline. The project reduces coastal flooding to 2,326 residential and 204 non-residential properties over the next 100 years. 

Once completed, CRMP will have delivered 15 schemes across Wales, improving protection for almost 14,000 properties. The programme has provided a unique opportunity for maritime authorities to implement major coastal resilience improvements that will help safeguard communities for generations.

We are making £5.26 million available for Natural Flood Management (NFM) schemes , supporting 35 projects delivered by 10 Risk Management Authorities. These schemes include a wide range of interventions such as installing leaky dams, tree planting, and enhancing habitat connectivity. The NFM programme is designed to reduce flood risk for almost 3,334 properties while also delivering broader environmental and social benefits. 

This investment builds on our previous NFM Pilot and the subsequent NFM Accelerator Programme, which delivered more than 24 schemes across Wales, benefitting over 1,600 homes and businesses while providing wider environmental gains. Earlier projects have shown clear evidence of success. For example, in the Usk catchment, new ponds, scrapes and leaky dams are already providing over 3,300 cubic metres of additional water storage, with early monitoring showing the measures are working as intended. The schemes have also improved soil health, created woodland habitats, and strengthened community resilience. They demonstrate how nature‑based solutions can reduce flood risk while delivering cross‑government benefits for biodiversity, wellbeing and climate adaptation. 

I am immensely proud that this government has delivered record investment in flood risk management, supporting communities across Wales as they adapt to more frequent and intense climate impacts.