Flood-hit communities impacted by Storm Henk (2 to 12 January)
can now apply for thousands of pounds from the government to help
them recover.
The financial support announced today (6 January 2024) will be
available to eligible areas in England that have experienced
exceptional localised flooding.
Help will be available for:
- Flooded households in eligible affected areas, who can apply
for up to £500 cash to help with immediate costs.
- Households and businesses significantly affected, who will be
eligible for 100% council tax and business rates relief for at
least 3 months.
- Small-to-medium sized businesses in eligible affected areas,
who can apply for up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant
to help them return quickly to business as usual.
- Eligible flood-hit property owners, who can apply for up to
£5,000 to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to
future flooding via the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant
Scheme.
- Farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage to their land
will be able to apply for grants of up to £25,000 through the
Farming Recovery Fund towards repair and reinstatement
costs for farmers adversely affected by exceptional
flooding.
This support will be made available through a scheme called the
Flood Recovery Framework, which is used in exceptional
circumstances to support councils and communities following
severe flooding. The measures were announced by the
Communities Secretary and Environment Secretary
.
45,000 properties have already been protected from the worst
impact of Storm Henk thanks to flood defences put in place
through previous government funding and quick Environment Agency
action on the ground. Environment Agency teams and first
responders have been working around the clock to manage the risk
of flooding and protect communities by operating flood defences,
clearing watercourses and putting up temporary barriers where
needed.
Communities Secretary said:
If you’ve been affected by the recent severe flooding, you do not
have to deal with it alone - we are providing financial help so
you can recover as quickly as possible.
We know families and businesses are facing extreme challenges
right now and we are doing all we can with our partners across
central and local government to ensure communities are supported.
Environment Secretary said:
I know how difficult flooding is for those affected and we will
do all we can do support households, farmers and other businesses
as they repair and rebuild.
45,000 properties are already protected thanks to our flood
defences, and I would like to pay tribute to the work of
Environment Agency teams, first responders, and others.
For those who have sadly been affected, our Property Flood
Resilience Repair Grant Scheme will soon be open to help
residents protect their property in the future, while our Farming
Recovery Fund will support farmers who have suffered damage as
they work to put food on our tables.
Funding for flood defences has increased with over 381,000 homes
better protected since 2015 thanks to this investment, and the
government is going even further by delivering a record £5.2
billion investment to better protect hundreds of thousands of
properties.
Support will be available through councils who will announce
further details on eligibility and how to apply.
