To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of people who have made up a flood kit; and what steps he is taking to encourage people to make up kits. (280481)

The Environment Agency has made no estimate of the number of people who have made up flood kits; however, their ‘Preparing for a flood’ guide encourages people to produce flood kits. This is available on the Environment Agency’s website or from its Floodline call centre. Since March 2008, a copy has been sent to everyone who registers for the Environment Agency’s free flood warning service.

Since December 2007, the Environment Agency has distributed over 260,000 ‘Preparing for a flood’ guides.