Conservatives reiterate call to Government to apply for EU flood crisis cash
Government must act as figures show claims set to top £2 billion
Brussels, 23 July 2007 — Timothy Kirkhope MEP, Conservative Leader in the European Parliament and MEP for flood-affected Yorkshire, has reiterated his call for the Government to act on applying for EU crisis funds as Britain’s worst floods in modern history leave thousands more people evacuated from their homes.
With the already unprecedented crisis set to worsen with further downpours forecast, he said there is now no excuse for the Government not to apply to the EU Solidarity Fund, earmarked for disasters which cause damage in excess of £2 billion. The Association of British Insurers today said claims are set to top that figure.
Mr Kirkhope wrote to Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner requesting financial assistance from the Solidarity Fund four weeks ago, but only the Government can apply and must do so within 10 weeks of the first damage.
“The Government has no excuse not to act now. With further rain still predicted I again call on the Government to contact the Regional Policy Commissioner to assist the UK with the Fund available to help EU countries deal with disasters such as we have seen across England over the past few weeks,” said Mr Kirkhope.
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