§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of(a) changes in sea levels around the coast of the United Kingdom over the next (i) five, (ii) 10 and (iii) 15 years, (b) the likely levels of flooding that could result and (c) the costs of improving sea defences to prevent that flooding. [153]
§ Mr. BoswellThe Ministry's current guidance to operating authorities recommends them to make allowances for sea level rise and predicted vertical land movements of between 4 mm and 6 mm a year when assessing the need for coastal defence measures.
Virtually all land and property which would be at risk from sea level rise is dependent on existing defences for protection. Operating authorities are expected to consider potential increases in the risk of flooding at individual locations and all recent flood defence works take account of the predicted rise.
The total cost of allowing for sea level change is not available.