Eight in 10 (80%) homes deemed to be at high-risk of flooding are now in England's towns and cities—equivalent to 839,000 homes—according to new analysis of flooding data by the National Housing Federation. This is what the impacts of climate and nature breakdown look like in 2026, impacting people's lives, businesses and our economy.
The good news is that there are solutions to build community resilience, and with increasing support. Providing safer homes is an important outcome of the new proposed Nature + National Security Bill, for example. If it becomes law, the Act would establish a new Resilience and Adaptation Commissioner to protect communities and ensure decisions across Government prepare the UK to function in the face of escalating climate impacts.
The consequences of failing to address flooding are stark, and becoming all too familiar, as illustrated by Abi and Steve Churchley’s experiences. Their home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, has been flooded twice (in 2014 and 2025).
Click here to watch them speak about their own experiences with flooding, their view of the root causes, and why they are backing the call for the Nature + National Security Bill.
Reflecting on their traumatic experiences with flooding, Steve told us:
"Nothing prepares you for being flooded once, let alone twice, or for carrying your children out of your own home through floodwater, not knowing what you will come back to. The trauma does not end when the water goes. Families are left spending months dealing with insurance, agencies, councils, repairs and uncertainty about whether it will happen again.”
Abi goes on to say that:
“For families like ours, flooding is not a future warning; it is already here. We need action now: proper adaptation, stronger flood resilience, and support that protects communities before the next storm, not just sympathy afterwards. That's why we're backing the call for the Nature + National Security Bill.”
Nature is our first line of defence against flooding. Healthy ecosystems act as sponges in flood events, with deep root systems strengthening soil to soak up flood water in storms and heavy rainfall events. We know that natural flood management can work and also simultaneously helps restore critical ecosystems in our communities.
It’s for this reason that protecting and restoring nature through a Strategic Nature Network, an interconnected system of biodiverse designated areas, is going to be so important in the fight against flooding.
Moreover, the Nature + National Security Bill’s proposed Resilience & Adaptation Commissioner will play a key part in the cross-Government coordination that is required to start optimising adaptation efforts.
We thank Abi and Steve for sharing their story with us, and for supporting the Nature + National Security Bill.
Ask your MP to back the science-backed Nature + National Security Bill to help deliver community resilience in your community.
Find out more here about the Nature + National Security Bill
