Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton pays tribute to flood recovery efforts during visit to Cumbria

Published	23 November 2009

Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton was in Cumbria yesterday (Sunday 22 November 2009) to see for herself how recovery efforts are helping those affected by the recent flooding and to reiterate the Prime Minister's pledge that the Government would do whatever it could to support local communities and local businesses through this crisis.

The Minister met with local council leaders and members of the recovery group at Gold Command in Penrith and Workington to hear first hand how the response to the flooding was being coordinated, before going on to Cockermouth to meet with local residents affected by the floods.

Her trip followed the Prime Minister's visit to the region on Saturday and she took the opportunity to reiterate the Government's support for those affected by the floods.

The Minister also paid tribute to the efforts of the emergency services who have been working tirelessly to tackle the floods and support their communities, sometimes at great personal cost.

Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton said:

"Yesterday the Prime Minister said the Government would do everything it could to support those affected by the floods, immediately announcing with Communities Secretary John Denham a £1m fund to help people right now.

"His announcement came on top of the announcement from the Department of Communities and Local Government that the Bellwin scheme, which provides financial support to Local Authorities in the event of an emergency, should be set at 100 per cent rather than 85 per cent, as well as North West Development Agency's announcement of their efforts in offering businesses urgent financial assistance.

"Visiting the areas affected and hearing first hand accounts of the past few days I have been struck by the fantastic efforts and professionalism of the emergency services in dealing with this crisis, the work of the local authorities, as well as the can-do attitude of the local community and their resilience in the face of this terrible incident. Local residents have told me that they too have been overwhelmed by the support of so many people.

"This is a time when we must continue to work together, to support people returning to their homes and rebuild local businesses. This government won't just stand by and watch; this government stands ready to help and do what it can to help those communities that have been devastated by the floodwaters."