The Government are providing a range of funding packages to help the country recover from this severe weather, and over the last week, the full set of arrangements have been confirmed. Information can be found at: www. gov.uk/government/news/uk-floods-2014-government-response.
The package of support includes:
The £37 million severe weather recovery scheme to support communities and contribute to highway infrastructure repairs in affected areas;
The repair and renewal grant scheme for homes and business providing up to £5,000 to improve properties’ ability to withstand future flooding;
£4 million of central Government funding for council tax relief for flood-affected homes;
Central Government funding for 100% business rate relief for three months for flood-affected businesses;
The £10 million farming recovery fund to support farm businesses to restore flooded agricultural land and bring it back into production as quickly as possible.
The £10 million business support scheme providing hardship funding for small and medium businesses;
The £130 million DEFRA/Environment Agency scheme for repairs and rebuilding of flood defence assets; work has already commenced on those defences with the highest priorities;
The enhanced Bellwin scheme that the Communities and Local Government Secretary announced to Parliament on 13 February.
Private sector and voluntary sector support
We are also grateful to support offered by the private sector. Banks have offered financial support to businesses and personal customers, while other businesses have given practical help. There have also been numerous generous offers of support from community groups. Government have been working to make sure that these offers can reach the areas that need them. The National Farmers Union reported the fantastic response of the farming community after setting up a centre to redistribute fodder to farmers who have lost theirs due to flooding—it has been overwhelmed by offers of support.
Enhancing insurance cover
On 18 February, Ministers met with the insurance industry to hear how they intend to help people and businesses affected by the recent severe weather. They informed us that 2,000 loss adjusters stand ready to support those flooded and we will be holding regular meetings to review progress and to find solutions to any issues arising on the ground.