Defra to bankroll delayed payments for flood-hit farmers

The UK government is ramping up support for flood-hit farmers with new investments, including significant funds for internal drainage boards (IDBs) and a refreshed approach to funding distribution.

Defra’s Farming Recovery Fund, originally established after Storm Henk in January, will provide additional financial relief to farmers hit by severe flooding.

A total of £60m will be distributed to about 13,000 eligible farm businesses, with payments ranging from £2,895 to £25,000.

See also: Only £2.1m spent on flood recovery fund, FOI reveals

These payments will be made from 21 November 2024.

This follows challenges with fund distribution, highlighted by a Freedom of Information (FOI) request made by Farmers Weekly to Defra, which showed that, as of October 2024, only £2.1m had been spent out of the initial £50m allocated.

The fund’s slow rollout has sparked criticism, especially from farmers like Lincolnshire grower Henry Ward, whose farm in Short Ferry suffered extensive flood damage but had not received support as of late October.

Funding for IDBs

The government has also pledged £50m in additional funding to IDBs, which are responsible for managing water levels and flood risks in specific agricultural areas.

This investment will help IDBs improve, repair and replace flood defences, including embankments, barriers and watercourses, over the next two years.

Defra says £15m has already been distributed to IDBs from the first tranche of IDB funding, with a further £10m expected to be distributed by the end of this year.

The Environment Agency will be engaging with IDBs on existing bids for the second tranche and will also be reopening bidding for project ideas that deliver in 2025-26.

This funding is aimed at reducing the risk of flooding for farmers and rural communities across England and will support projects designed to protect vulnerable areas from future floods.

Consultation

The government will launch a consultation in the new year on the funding formula for allocating money to proposed flood defences.

The Flood Resilience Taskforce, which includes key stakeholders like the NFU, has already started meeting to discuss how to improve preparedness and speed up the deployment of flood protection measures.

Farming organisations welcomed the government’s commitment to grants for flood-hit farmers in England in the Budget, which the NFU has otherwise described as “disastrous” for the future of family farms.

Victoria Vyvyan, president of the Country Land and Business Association, said: “Delays to the Farming Recovery Fund have added to the difficulties and volatility that farming is already facing. We are pleased the government will make payments swiftly now that the budget has been released.”