Publication of Dr Peter Bonfield’s report on property flood resilience should be welcomed by those in flood-risk areas. The action plan sets out a series of recommendations that have a direct bearing on households and business as well as local authorities and housing associations.

The report follows the increase in severe storms and subsequent flooding across the UK in recent years.

Storm Desmond at the end of 2015 alone claimed three lives and flooded nearly 19,000 homes. It was quickly followed by two further storms, Eva and Frank, which equally wreaked havoc across the UK.