Farming Recovery Fund
During May, the government announced an expansion to the Farming Recovery Fund to help more farm businesses recover after relentless heavy rain and devastating flooding across the country over the winter.
The funding was first announced in January and the NFU has worked with the RPA and Defra to help develop the offer which has included feeding in examples of the challenges faced by our members.
We have made the following points to the RPA and Defra.
- We have always wanted to see as many affected farmers as possible eligible for this scheme.
- That the offer covers a wide period of time and not just Storm Henk.
- That all areas that have been affected are included, not just flooded areas, but those severely affected by excessive rainfall and saturated ground.
- We have raised concerns over the relationship with the Flood Recovery Framework with reference to rural housing thresholds to trigger support.
- Support to cover more than land, such as loss of soil, soil contamination, infrastructure that is uninsurable.
- That the approach to administrating the scheme works for farmers and that there is no fear of having to repay monies offered.
- That there is transparency with the basis of eligibility to help all to understand, not just contacting those that are suggested as being eligible.
- Flood storage areas should receive compensation.
- The need for farmers to be able to challenge the approach if they feel that the RPA has not correctly considered the land.
“We are continuing to work with the RPA and with Defra to seek clarity on payments as well as helping to develop the offer.”
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos
In an update to members, NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos said: “Although the original cohort of eligible farmers have been issued a payment, it is frustrating that many are yet to receive support as we wait to hear what the government’s intentions are for this funding.
“We are continuing to work with the RPA and with Defra to seek clarity on payments as well as helping to develop the offer – this has included feeding in examples of the challenges faced by many of our members including the impact on their mental health.”
The cohort of eligible farmers covered by the original offer in January (land located within 150 metres of named rivers in named counties with funding based on an area rate of £130/ha and payments between £500 and £25,000) were contacted in April and have been issued a payment. This was done in early July.
Expanded offer
During May, the Farming Recovery Fund was expanded to include a wider geographical area of farmers with more funding made available for those affected across the whole of England. The budget for the scheme is now £50 million.
Farmers whose land has suffered significant damage due to flooding or exceptional rainfall this winter and spring will receive a payment to help remediate land and bring it back into production.
- Grants will help contribute towards the costs of land remediation, including recultivation, soil remediation or the removal of debris and pollution.
- Farmers will have flexibility to spend the grant appropriately in their context and will not have to provide evidence of damage or costs.
Eligibility
Eligible farmers were contacted directly by the RPA. To determine eligibility:
- Defra used mapping data to determine land flooded close to rivers in the counties most affected by flooding over this period.
- Defra also used rainfall data to establish other areas across the country that have experienced exceptional rainfall (more than 70% higher than normal) over the period.
- There was no exceptions process.
Payments were expected to be made this summer. Defra has based the payment rates on an assessment of average likely costs.
The plan was for a flat rate payment, set in bands according to farm size. The minimum payment amount eligible farmers will receive is £2,895, up to a maximum of £25,000.
Farmers already contacted by the RPA as eligible in the initial role out of the Storm Henk scheme on 9 April could still be eligible, and could receive at least the amount they’ve already been offered. They would receive payments based on the updated rates. The RPA stated it would be in contact with farmers directly.
Find out more: GOV.UK | Farming Recovery Fund expanded.
Property flood resilience repair grant scheme
Most grants under the Flood Recovery Framework have now closed but the Property Flood Resilience Repair grant scheme remains open until 2025.
Eligible flood-hit property owners are able to apply for up to £5,000 to refund homes and businesses for works undertaken to make them more flood resilient or recover more quickly from future flooding.
Your property must have been internally damaged by flooding between Tuesday 2 January 2024 and Friday 12 January 2024 as a result of Storm Henk.
You will need to visit your local council’s website in order to apply. See the list of eligible councils below:
- Gloucestershire County
- Nottinghamshire County
- West Northamptonshire
- Warwickshire
- Worcestershire County
- Herefordshire County
- Lincolnshire County
- Somerset County
- Surrey County
- Oxfordshire County
- Leicester City
- Leicestershire County
- Wiltshire
- Windsor & Maidenhead
- Tower Hamlets
- West Berkshire