Work will start on site on the 22 schemes this year or next.

The move is part of a long-term plan to tackle flooding confirmed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson today.

He said: “Last winter I saw for myself the misery and upheaval that flooding can bring to lives and livelihoods and I said we would do more to help people.

“This long-term plan will help push back the flood waters and protect hundreds of thousands of homes, businesses and livelihoods.

“Our record investment will also stimulate economic growth across the UK as we build back better.”

Longer-term plans include building 2,000 new flood and coastal defence schemes by 2027.

Flood schemes which will start in the next two years under the £170m accelerated programme include:

• In Leeds, the government will provide up to £21m to for the Leeds Phase 2 Flood Alleviation Scheme which will protect more than 370 businesses and 3,300 jobs, and enable the development of land for the creation of homes and jobs. This is subject to a satisfactory business case approved by Defra and HMT. Government will also provide £1,320,000 for the Leeds Natural Flood Management Scheme. This brings the government’s total investment in Leeds to more than £100m to help prevent a repeat of the 2015 Boxing Day floods.
• In Sheffield and the Upper Don Valley, the flood scheme will protect more than 650 businesses and  will play a part in delivering 70,000 new jobs in the city
• In Tenbury Wells and the Severn Valley, two flood schemes will protect nearly 3,000 homes in areas which were badly affected by last winter’s floods, and protecting and creating more than 22,000 jobs along the Severn Valley. This will be supplemented by an additional scheme combining natural flood risk management, tree planting and habitat creation to reduce flood risk and capture carbon throughout the Severn Valley.
• In Hebden Bridge, the funding will provide better protection for an area that was badly affected by last winter’s flooding, including nearly 1,000 businesses, while maintaining the importance of access to the river in the picturesque town.
• In Lowestoft and the Suffolk coast, the funding will deliver a tidal barrier and flood walls to protect key infrastructure and businesses, and providing a boost to the offshore energy and tourism sectors.
• In Derby, the flood scheme will protect over 1,000 businesses and 7,000 jobs, acting as a catalyst for regeneration in the city.
• In Brighton, Hove, and Shoreham, £2m will be spent to protect critical infrastructure on the south coast, including a power plant serving 300,000 homes and one of the largest cargo ports in the south of England.
• In Falmouth, the flood scheme will reduce risks associated with surface water flooding and will allow further growth in a town centre waterfront location.
• In Bude, the flood scheme will sustain existing protection, preserving the functioning of a key part of the town and thereby allowing continued growth in the local tourism industry.
• In East Cowes, funding will be provided to reduce the risk of tidal flooding and increase resilience for properties and businesses including the ferry terminal.
• In Padiham, the flood scheme will protect over 2,000 jobs and nearly 300 businesses, delivering of £30m of economic benefits.
• In Lowdham, the storage of water in reservoirs will help to reduce flood risk in a village which has flooded three times in the last 12 months.
• In Ponteland, the flood scheme will allow the continued protection of the town, local businesses to continue to trade and provide confidence for future growth and investment.