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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Sandra Laville

UK must spend £1.5bn a year on flood defences to protect public, experts warn

Aerial view of people's driveways completely submerged with flood water and cars floating in the water
Flooding in Leicestershire, including Loughborough (pictured), caused widespread damage to homes earlier this year. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA

Spending on flood defences will fall off a cliff edge next year, a report warns, calling on the chancellor to commit at least £1.5bn a year in the spending review to protect the economy and the public.

Nearly 2 million people across the UK are exposed to flooding every year, which is equivalent to the combined populations of Birmingham, Sheffield and Newcastle upon Tyne.

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