Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to replace EU solidarity funds which support businesses affected by flooding.

The European Union Solidarity Fund retrospectively reimburses Member States affected by major natural disasters for 2.5 per cent to 6 per cent of the costs incurred depending on the scale of the damage. Under EU rules, the fund can only be used to reimburse public sector costs of responding to emergencies and subsequent recovery, so cannot be paid directly to individual households or businesses. Member States can apply to the European Commission for this funding but must meet the conditions placed upon them by the European Commission to receive it.