The Environmental Audit Committee has launched an inquiry to examine the increased incidence and severity of flooding and to assess England’s flood resilience and explore ways to improve it for the future.

The EAC said the inquiry would examine the efficacy of nature-based flood resilience measures in comparison to infrastructure assets. It will also look at how flooding is monitored and highlight future priorities for the Flood Resilience Taskforce.

Toby Perkins MP, chair of the EAC, said: “Flooding causes anger, frustration and misery for too many communities, with people asking time and again why the same places continue to be hit. Homes, businesses, public transport, infrastructure: all are at the mercy of flooding exacerbated by climate change.

“Our Committee is determined to get to the bottom of whether enough is being done to build our nation’s flood resilience. We’re committed to examining how we can boost flood defences and to uncover if flood management authorities are working effectively together.”