MPs join forces seeking emergency funding to support flooding victims

WARRINGTON South MP Andy Carter has joined forces with fellow MPs across Cheshire calling for emergency funding for flooding support, with up to 700 homes impacted across the borough.

With many families still homeless and living in hotels Mr Carter and fellow MPs in Cheshire have written to Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for HCLG and George Eustice MP Secretary of State for EFRA, calling for them to intervene and help secure Bellwin funding.
The Bellwin scheme provides emergency government financial assistance which “reimburses local authorities for costs incurred on, or in connection with, their immediate actions to safeguard life and property or to prevent suffering or severe inconvenience as a result of a disaster or emergency in their area
In Warrington alone:
• 152 properties confirmed to have flooded, and out of those properties 140
residents evacuated into hotels;
• an initial figure of 600–700 properties affected across the geography of the
Borough;
• increasing numbers of residents indicating they do not have insurance, or
where they do, that insurers will not cover floods.
Mr Carter said: “Warrington and Cheshire really took the brunt of Storm Christoph, that impact will be long lasting and is having a devastating impact on the lives of families who’ve had to move out of their homes, some for the second time in 18 months while repairs are carried out”.
“Our communities have rallied together and given immediate assistance to neighbours, in Warrington alone around 700 homes have been damaged so we also need the Government to release Bellwin funding which will provide additional support for repairs to be carried out.”
“Having met with the Environment Agency I know work is now underway to look at what steps can be taken to reduce the risks from flooding again, there is substantial levels of funding required and I will continue to push Ministers to provide this as quickly as possible.”