FLOOD prevention funding in Scotland is “not fit for purpose,” watchdog Audit Scotland warned today, as spiralling costs and abandoned schemes leave fewer properties protected.

In 2015, the Scottish government identified 40 schemes aimed at protecting 15,520 homes and businesses blighted by risk of flooding.

About £350 million was earmarked for such measures, bringing the cost per property to £22,639, but in the decade since, the watchdog has found that just 19 schemes protecting 14,015 properties have been delivered, while the Scottish government and councils shelled out £30m on eight projects abandoned altogether.

“While multi-year funding allocations of £42m a year between 2015/16 and 2025/26 had been agreed,” the watchdog reported, “There was no clear understanding of whether this would be enough to cover the final cost of the schemes approved.

“The funding mechanism for major flood schemes is not fit for purpose when considering the scale of resources needed.

“It does not provide sufficient safeguards to manage cost increases.

“Flood schemes are taking longer to complete than anticipated. Expected costs between 2015 and 2025 have increased from around £350m to over £1 billion.

“This is for fewer schemes than originally approved and therefore fewer properties protected. Future funding for flood schemes is highly uncertain.

“Budgets set annually can make it difficult for public bodies and councils to plan adequately and take the most cost-effective approaches.”

Auditor General Stephen Boyle warned: ”The Scottish government and other public bodies must urgently address critical gaps in roles, responsibilities, information and data.

“Failing to do this risks ambitions to build communities that can better withstand and recover from flooding.”

The Scottish government was contacted for comment.