Rising sea levels will claim homes around English coast, report warns

Third of coastline cannot be affordably protected, government climate change advisers say, with current plans 'not fit for purpose'

Rising sea levels will claim homes, roads and fields around the coast of England, the government's official advisers have warned, and many people are unaware of the risks they face.

The new report from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) said existing government plans to "hold the line" in many places - building defences to keep shores in their current position - were unaffordable for a third of the country's coast. Instead, the CCC said, discussions about the "hard choices" needed must be started with communities that will have to move inland.