HC Deb 16 January 2001 vol 361 c182W
25. Mr. Todd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the operation of the Bellwin formula for flood-related costs. [143990]

Ms Beverley Hughes

Between 13 October 2000 and 8 January 2001 a total of 100 local authorities had notified my Department that they had incurred expenditure for which they would consider making a claim under the Bellwin scheme. Four authorities and seven hon. Members wrote asking for consideration to be given to reducing or abolishing the threshold below which authorities must fund expenditure. Three inquiries asked for special consideration to be given to Combined Fire Authorities. In response to this exceptional level of notifications we established a general scheme applying to incidents in the months of October and November. On 4 November my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced a number of changes in the scheme, including an increase in the Government's contribution from 85 per cent. of spending above local authority thresholds to 100 per cent. and the instigation of a review of the operation of the scheme when the present floods have ended.

A number of fresh incidents were reported in early December. In view of this we are extending the present scheme to include expenditure in connection with all incidents up to the end of December.