Just a thought, why isn't the government spending money on permanent measures.
The initial cost would be far less than the misery and clear up costs and insurance claims.
What does a permanent measure do? Shift the problem elsewhere. So it aint a solution, just media hysteria.
Because we are grossly over populated, we have built on all the low lying flood plains, and because the planning requirements are for flood protection around these new towns, its speeded up water flow through downstream, older towns built on the river. Guess what happens.
Given the flooding caused by this utter stupidity in the 90s, last time I moved, I ensured I was on a higher area of land to the surrounding areas, because it was obvious to anyone, even the stupid kid from the local comprehensive, this was going to get worse. Obviously, the same idiots are using the (unproven) man made climate change excuse for all this flooding.
Solution? As always, reduce the need for housing. That needs to start this generation. I'm all for the cull, but lets start softer with a forced sterilisation after the first brat is born, and then revisit in 3 or 4 generations when the population is a more sustainable 25m