The Environment Agency published an updated national coastal erosion risk map (NCERM) in January 2025, showing that 3,500 properties are at risk of coastal erosion by 20551. The figure appears in the agency's flood and coastal erosion risk management report for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, which covers England1.
The same report sets out the wider risk picture from the agency's updated national flood risk assessment (NaFRA), which for the first time includes changes in risk that may occur with climate change1. It shows that around 6.3 million homes and businesses in England are in areas at risk from flooding, described as around one in five homes across England, rising to one in four homes by the mid-century because of climate change1.
"At the same time, we updated our national coastal erosion risk map. This shows that 3,500 properties are at risk of coastal erosion by 2055."
The report also records the flooding and storm events of the year. Around 5,000 properties were reported as flooded across the country, while flood and coastal defences protected around 167,000 properties1. England experienced 7 named storms: Kathleen, Lilian, Ashley, Bert, Conall, Darragh and Eowyn1. During Storm Bert, around 1,600 properties flooded across England and defences protected around 35,800 properties1. During Storm Darragh, the Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for wind, with speeds of up to 90mph affecting some coastal areas1.
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Properties at risk of coastal erosion by 2055 | 3,500 | 1 |
| Homes and businesses in areas at risk of flooding | around 6.3 million (around one in five homes) | 1 |
| Projected proportion of homes at flood risk by mid-century | one in four | 1 |
| Properties reported flooded, 2024 to 2025 | around 5,000 | 1 |
| Properties protected by defences, 2024 to 2025 | around 167,000 | 1 |
On funding, the report states that in February 2025 the government announced a record £2.65 billion will be invested over 2 years to build, maintain and repair flood defences across England, and that this will better protect 52,000 properties by March 20261. It also records that in March 2025 the government announced an additional £16 million for the IDB Storm Recovery and Asset Improvement fund, increasing the fund to a total of £91 million1.
Why it matters for households
The updated map gives households on the coast a published figure for long-term erosion risk: 3,500 properties at risk by 20551. The flood assessment figures cover England only and describe areas at risk, not properties that have flooded1. The report states that the increased risk highlights the importance of effective flood warnings, and that the agency has been building and testing a new warning service ahead of an anticipated launch later in 20251. The Environment Agency's flood map for planning service now includes data from the new NaFRA, which the report says allows planners and developers to account for flood risk in the location and design of developments1. The report does not set out separate advice for households on erosion risk.
What happens next
The report gives no date for a further revision of the coastal erosion map. It states that the new flood warning service is anticipated to launch later in 20251. Longer term funding decisions are to be made during the next spending review bid, and £72 million is allocated in 2025 to 2026 to hold around 92% of flood risk assets in high consequence systems at the required condition1.
Households can read more on coastal flooding, tidal surges and erosion, on chronic risks in government planning, and on flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings.
Coastal Flooding and Erosion
