Flood-threatened homes may not receive protection, report warns

Flood protection for Scottish homes identified as “at risk” may not be built because of problems with leadership and funding, watchdogs have warned

A joint report by the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission has concluded that the system for allocating money to projects is not “fit for purpose”.

The failings are likely to affect some of the 400,000 households threatened with flooding by 2080 because of climate change, a significant increase on the 284,000 currently at risk.

The Scottish government said it would consider the report’s findings but insisted it was working to improve food resilience in communities.

The report said that existing major flood schemes are taking longer to complete with costs expected to more than double to over £1bn.

That means – it concludes – that fewer homes and communities will be protected than originally expected.

The report criticises leadership in public bodies such as the Scottish government, local authorities, Scottish Water and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).

It says there is a lack of clarity around responsibilities and funding, meaning there is a risk that action will not happen at the scale and speed required.

The threat of flooding is one of the most significant impacts that Scotland is already experiencing because of the warming climate.

More intense rainfall is causing localised flooding such as that experienced by Storm Babet in Brechin, Angus, in October 2023.

More than 130 homes were affected when the River South Esk breached defences during “exceptional” rainfall.

The flood wall was built to withstand a one in 200-year weather event but has now been downgraded to being fit for a one in 50-year storm.

Angus Council has said it may have to downgrade the defences even further.

Modelling of rising sea levels over the next 50 years has placed many more properties at risk from coastal flooding.

Improving defences is seen as a vital step in avoiding and minimising disruption.

The Auditor General for Scotland, Stephen Boyle, said public bodies need to urgently address the critical gaps in roles and responsibilities.

He added: “Whilst there are good examples of the Scottish government collaborating with councils, communities and other public bodies, this isn’t sufficient given the scale of future risks.”

The total cost of damage to property in Scotland because of flooding is around £260m a year split between the public and private sector.

When intense floods are experienced, like those in Brechin, that figure can be much higher.

The report also points out that vulnerable populations, such as older people and those with long term physical and mental health issues, are being disproportionately affected.

It says many take longer to recover from the impacts of being flooded with those facing financial hardship often being unable to afford home insurance.

That can widen inequality in some communities, it adds.

A Scottish government spokesman said many of the report’s recommendations align with work already under way to improve governance and processes for funding major flood protection schemes in future.

He added: “We have also recently provided funding to Sepa to improve coastal flooding monitoring and develop a national register of flood and coastal assets.

“In addition, we have established the Flood Resilience Strategy Implementation Governance Group with key partners to oversee implementation of the National Flood Resilience Strategy.”