Government asks EU for floods cash

Local government minister and Wentworth MP John Healey confirmed an application will be lodged with the European Union Solidarity Fund - a cash reserve for natural disasters which cause more than 2.2 billion in damage.

The money wold help cover some of the costs of the June and July flooding but not be available for between nine and 12 months, prompting Tories to criticise the Government for delaying its application.

Shadow Environment Secretary Peter Ainsworth said: “People have been suffering the aftermath of this summer’s floods for well over a month now and we asked for the Government to apply to the fund at the beginning of July.

“If the Government had taken note, the money might now be filtering through to people who need it most.”

EU bureaucrats will decide how much to grant the UK. The money will pay for uninsurable factors including the cost of emergency services, cleaning up flood damage and putting infrastructure, like roads, back into working order.

Mr Healey said: “As a member of the EU we intend to exercise our right for support from the Solidarity Fund which was set up specifically to help countries that have experienced extensive damage from natural disasters such as the recent floods. The final decision will rest with the Commission but we will make the strongest possible case.”