MEP calls on Whitehall to seek EU help for flood damage costs

12.51.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 23rd Jul 2007

In a letter to Gordon Brown, Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson has called upon the new Prime Minister to apply for EU Solidarity Funding in the aftermath of the recent and severe flooding which has affected many parts of his constituency, most particularly areas of Gloucestershire.

In his letter to Gordon Brown, Graham Watson writes:

"In view of the severe flooding, which has caused considerable damage in parts of my constituency, I write to seek your assurance that the UK government is considering submitting an application to the European Commission for EU Solidarity Funding to help with the clear-up operation.

What assessment has been made with regard to submitting an application for EU Solidarity Funding? As you will be aware, an application for such funding needs to be submitted within a ten-week deadline and therefore time is of the essence."

Commenting, Graham Watson MEP said:

"Through contact I have had in Brussels with colleagues and with Commission officials, it seems that the European Commission is ready and waiting to help - but first the UK government must submit an application for assistance. I will be pressing the UK government to take the initiative and pick up the telephone to Brussels. I do not want to see the huge costs of the clean-up falling on already overstretched local authority budgets. This flooding has already cost many of my constituents substantial loss; it would be unfair if they had to pay again through their council tax."

The European Union Solidarity Fund, set up after the catastrophic flooding which hit Central Europe in summer 2002, is designed to provide fast, effective and flexible emergency financial aid to areas struck by natural disasters. Member States must submit an application for funding no later than 10 weeks after the first damage.

Graham Watson has also contacted the Government Office for the South West regarding the possibility of redirecting EU structural funding to help with the flood clear-up operation.