Govt applies for EU flood aid
The government today submitted an application to the European Commission to help meet the clean-up costs of the summer flooding.
Flood recovery minister John Healey confirmed the application had been lodged after the initial assessment placed the clean-up bill at ?4 billion.
The European Union Solidarity Fund states costs must exceed ?3 billion before it will consider a claim. Even though the UK qualifies, it is not guaranteed the full sum back and instead the European Commission will allocate proportion.
Mr Healey said: “As part of this cross-government work we are exercising our right to apply for support from the EU Solidarity Fund and have today submitted a provisional application.
“This fund was set up specifically to help countries who have experienced extensive damage from natural disasters such as floods.
“I would like to thank all those authorities and local agencies who have worked hard to help us put together this complex application so swiftly – and within a month of the July floods.”
The minister said the final cost of the floods across the north-east and south-west is still unknown, but the UK had to submit an initial assessment today to meet the deadline set by the European Commission. The Environment Department will work with other government offices as well as relevant agencies and authorities to provide an up to date figure.
If the UK’s application is accepted, funds should begin to reach affected areas within nine to 12 months.
The fund is designed to help member states meet the uninsurable costs of natural disasters, including the cost of emergency services, cleaning up and repairing infrastructure.
Mr Healey said the damage from the summer flooding was widespread. Insurers have told the government they are expecting 45,000 claims from households and a further 14,500 from businesses.
He continued: “It will be for the Commission to decide whether our application is successful and this process may take up to a year. If successful we would only receive a proportion of the total costs.
“That’s why it’s important we continue to work with insurers, local government, industry and other agencies to ensure life gets back to normal as quickly as possible. We know this will not happen overnight but are firmly committed to working in partnership to achieve this for as long as it takes.”
The government has already made other funds available for flood victims, including £14 million for schools and family services, £3 million for transport and infrastructure and £10 million to support businesses.
