PRESS RELEASE : Government announces support for flood-hit areas [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, on 25 October 2023.

Thousands of pounds of government funding to help communities recover from the impact of Storm Babet.

Communities impacted by flooding will benefit from thousands of pounds of government funding to help them recover from the impact of Storm Babet.

The Communities Secretary Michael Gove and Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey have announced support will be available to areas in England that have experienced exceptional localised flooding.

Under the measures announced today:

• Flooded households in affected areas can apply for up to £500 to give cash quickly to help with immediate costs.
• Households and businesses significantly affected by recent flooding will be eligible for 100% council tax and business rates relief for at least 3 months.
• Small-to-medium sized businesses in affected areas will be eligible for up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant to help them return quickly to business as usual.
• Eligible flood-hit property owners will be able to 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.

The support will be made available through a scheme known as the Flood Recovery Framework, which is used in exceptional circumstances to support councils and communities following severe flooding.

Communities Secretary, Michael Gove MP said:

The support I am announcing today will give those impacted by these terrible floods a helping hand so they can get back on their feet and recover from Storm Babet.

I will continue to work closely with our partners across government and councils to make sure we are doing all we can to support businesses and families who have had to face such challenging and upsetting circumstances.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

My sympathies are with everyone who has experienced the devastating effects of flooding. I would like to thank our Environment Agency teams and first responders, with 62,000 properties already protected thanks to our flood defences.

Our Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme will soon be open to help residents better protect their property in the future, giving some peace of mind as they rebuild and repair.

Environment Agency teams and first responders have been working round the clock on the ground with local partners to manage the risk of flooding, including operating flood defences, flood storage reservoirs and putting up temporary barriers where needed to help protect our communities. Around 62,000 properties have been protected thanks to the defences in place.

Funding for flood defences has increased with over 374,000 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.