David Cameron announced on Tuesday 11 February up to an additional £10 million will be available to support farmers affected by the recent floods.
Defra have announced that the fund will be targeted at helping to "restore flooded agricultural land and bring it back into production as quickly as possible" and also "help farmers introduce lasting and sustainable flood management measures to help secure future production once land is restored".
Defra states that the fund will be open for applications by the end of February, and remain open “for as long as possible given uncertainty around flood water levels receding”. The scheme will be open to all farm business that require support but will be targeted at those areas most affected by the flood crisis. Further details are awaited from Defra as to how and where these funds will be provided to farmers hit by flooding in recent weeks and how farmers can apply.
The NFU has offered help and advice to Defra so that the recovery scheme provides help as soon as possible to those farm businesses that need it most. Action is needed not only to clear debris and decontaminate flooded buildings but also to re-establish crops and grazing land as soon as possible.
What else has the Government announced?
Several other measures have also been outlined by the Government to help communities, individuals and businesses hit by flooding. These include:
Tax helpline
HMRC have announced a new telephone helpline to assist people affected by flooding.
The support HMRC are offering includes:
- agree instalment arrangements where taxpayers are unable to pay as a result of the floods;
- agree a practical approach when individuals and businesses have lost vital records to the floods;
- suspend debt collection proceedings for those affected by the floods;
- cancel penalties when the taxpayer has missed statutory deadlines.
Call 0800 904 7900 Monday-Friday 8am-8pm or Saturday-Sunday 8am-4pm
In addition affected businesses will be able to apply to their local authority to get business rate relief for 3 months. Further details are awaited.
A "Repair and renew” grant for affected homeowners and businesses
A £5,000 grant will provide financial support for households and businesses to pay for repairs which improve a property’s ability to withstand future flooding. The Government has stated that this will top up any money received from insurers to ensure flood resilience is built into homes and businesses as they are repaired.
Cabinet Committee
A Cabinet committee to oversee the recovery is being set up. David Cameron to chair the first meeting on Thursday 13 February.
Somerset Council Tax
Separately, Somerset County Council have also announced that people whose homes are flooded or cut off because of the floods will not have to pay the County Council part of their council tax until they are back in their homes.