The government has unveiled a package of measures to prepare the UK for winter weather, according to freshnews.uk, including the biggest flood defence programme ever seen in England. More than 600 flood defence projects are being delivered across the country, backed by £1.4 billion of investment in 2026/27.
Transport is also getting attention. Over the next four years, £24 billion will go towards maintaining and improving local roads, while £2.6 billion is being invested through Network Rail to make rail infrastructure more resilient to the climate. Some of that money is already at work: £33 million has been spent in Durham and £41 million across the North West to shore up embankments and guard against landslips.
Energy networks will carry out maintenance before the cold sets in, with crews clearing branches and positioning engineers in areas at risk so that storms cause fewer outages. The government points to last winter's Storm Amy, when 99% of electricity customers had their power restored within a day.
The Cabinet Office is launching a public awareness campaign later this autumn, offering households simple, low-cost or free steps to be more resilient in emergencies such as severe storms. Advice will include keeping basic supplies at home and signing up to the Priority Services Register, which helps vulnerable households get assistance faster if gas, water or electricity supplies fail. The campaign was shaped with input from over 5,000 people and 400 partners, including councils, NHS England, the British Red Cross and the National Emergencies Trust. Security Minister Dan Jarvis visited Leicester in late September to see community-led resilience work.
The plans follow severe winter weather last season, including storms Goretti and Chandra. A strong El Nino could increase the chances of wetter and stormier conditions in late autumn and early winter.
What it means in practice
The new funding and campaign are designed to make everyday life more resilient when bad weather hits. For most households, the practical effects will show up in travel, power supplies and simple preparedness.
- Travel — the rail and road investment aims to cut delays and closures caused by storms, though major disruption can still happen.
- Power cuts — network maintenance may reduce outages, but it is worth knowing how to report a loss of supply and where to find updates.
- Preparing at home — the coming campaign will suggest low-cost steps and the Priority Services Register can help vulnerable people get support faster.
