§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance he plans to give to areas which suffered from the recent flooding, with particular reference to the Tewkesbury area; and if he will make a statement. [144918]
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§ Mr. MorleyOn 4 November, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced improvements to the Bellwin scheme, including an increase in the rate of payment for eligible expenditure from 85 per cent. to 100 per cent. and a promise to settle all claims within 15 days. The revisions will help local authorities to deal with the immediate requirements. No claim has yet been received from Tewkesbury borough council.
My right hon. Friend also announced that the Government were making a further £51 million available over the next three years to accelerate river flood defence schemes and allow whole catchment assessment studies to be carried out. This additional funding is on top of the increases in funding for flood and coastal defence announced in 2000 Spending Review. Total expenditure on flood and coastal defence now approached £400 million a year.
It has been the policy of successive Governments not to pay compensation to householders or businesses for any losses suffered as a result of flooding as this is an insurable risk. I have joined with my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury in maintaining close contact with the insurance industry and have urged insurers to give priority to claims arising from the floods. In cases of genuine hardship, help may be available from the social fund. Assistance may also be available from local disaster funds where these have been established.