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One year on: Minister praises flood recovery efforts

Floods Recovery Minister John Healey today paid tribute to the thousands of people who helped the country get back on its feet after last summer's floods.

In a letter to MPs and councils ahead of the first anniversary of the floods, Mr Healey pledged that Government support would continue for as long as it is needed, and praised the way in which local communities came together to support each other both during and after the floods.

The floods devastated communities in nearly every region of the country, affecting 48,000 households and 9,000 businesses, causing £3.1bn damage and prompting over 180,000 insurance claims.

In his letter, John Healey highlighted the £88m Government support that has been made available so far to help communities get back to normal.

This includes:

• £20million in Flood Recovery Grants to support the recovery work of local authorities to help the most vulnerable communities.
• £19million through the Bellwin Scheme - with improved conditions, to allow councils to claim up to 100 per cent of the floods costs incurred within a six-month period.
• £14million to help rebuild the schools and children's centres damaged in the floods. This, combined with the efforts of Local Education Authorities and councils, ensured that all children in flood-affected areas were able to return to school within the first week of term.
• Over £23million for repairs to local highways, with more to come for affected local authorities
• Over £11million from Regional Development Agencies for affected businesses in their regions
• £1million to support rural tourism in England through promoting rural destinations and visitor attractions.
• And next month, allocations will be made of a further £31m through the new Restoration Fund.

Flood Recovery Minister John Healey said:

"Last year had the wettest May to July since records began in 1766, leading to the worst floods for a generation, and one of the largest recovery efforts since the Second World War.

"The response of communities, both in the immediate aftermath of the floods and over the past year, has been magnificent. So I would like to thank councils, charities, companies and community organisations for the extraordinary efforts that they have made, and continue to make. They have sent a message loud and clear that the regions remain open for business.

"Particular praise should go to councils, who led the local recovery operations at the height of the floods, and have continued to support their local communities.

"Over the past year, we have made up to £88m available to flood-hit communities. And there is another £31m to come through the new Restoration Fund.

"I am proud of the progress that has been made, which means that as we approach one year on from the floods, the vast majority of people affected by the floods are now back in their homes.

"The pace of progress is picking up, with one in six of those households out of their home a month ago now back - including one in four who were living in caravans. This compares well to the situation in Carlisle where, 18 months on from the floods that affected over 1,900 households in 2005, one in ten were still not back home.

"While a huge amount has been done, there is still more to do. The Government is in this for the long haul, and remains committed to providing support to these communities for as long as it is needed."

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