Extra funding means that many homes in the UK are now better equipped to deal with floods, it has been suggested.

In its latest report, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) claims that the government has made significant progress in tackling issues raised by the Pitt Review.

This was released after the severe flooding that hit the UK in 2007.

Defra flood defence funding increased from £600 million in 2007-08 to an estimated £780 million in 2010-11, with 85 flood defence schemes being completed.

Environment secretary Hilary Benn said: "We have published a draft flood and water management bill for consultation and in advance of the bill becoming law, we have taken immediate action to help communities at risk of flooding."

Meanwhile, homeowners have also be warned by Halifax about the risk of subsidence this summer, which is likely to occur as a result of high temperatures and clay-like soil in some areas.

Properties that are hit by floods can use storage facilities to keep their belongings out of harm's way until the house is repaired.

Written by Paul Governor