The London Assembly has been warned that as many as 24,000 homes in the Capital are at risk of flooding.

As the wet weather continued this weekend, leading to flood warnings, the Environment Agency (EA) told assembly members that plans are afoot to protect 10,000 of the properties - subject to £100million funding being secured over 10 years.

Half of the money could come from central government grants, however it would still see 14,000 homes remaining at significant risk - this is around one in every 75 homes - even if the proposed schemes are fully implemented.

Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the assembly's Environment Committee said; “We are reassured that the combination of factors required to cause a catastrophic flood in Central London are extremely unlikely. We also welcome progress with reducing the risk of flooding from extreme rainfall.

London Assembly member Murad Qureshi highlighted figures showing the unsolved crime rate in Hounslow has risen to 77 per cent
Murad Qureshi

"We certainly don’t wish to tempt fate but what we heard today should confirm to Londoners that the recent ‘freaky’ weather has been factored-in to flood prevention planning.”

At an update on the capital’s flood risk preparation, assembly members were reassured that measures in place, including the Thames Barrier, will continue to protect the tidal floodplain, which covers large parts of central London, for at least the next 20 years.

The Assembly has investigated the capital’s flood defences in 2002 , 2005  and 2011 .