A BOLTON volunteer has been helping people who have been flooded out of their homes after Storm Desmond caused chaos in Cumbria and Lancashire.
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Covering for David Cameron during Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Osborne was challenged by Labour’s Angela Eagle over the Government’s response to the deluges.
Setting out additional support following yesterday’s announcement of Bellwin funding for councils, Clark also said that businesses forced out of their premises would not have to pay business rates for the same period.
“We encourage people to stand by local businesses as they continue to operate despite the floods and damage”.
Cumbria County Council leader Stewart Young said the money was “a good start” but the costs of getting the county back to normal would be “astronomical”.
Kind-hearted Rizwan Gharda, aged 25, from Great Lever, had only just returned from an aid mission to help Syrian refugees arriving on the Greek Island of Lesbos when he and other volunteers rushed to help those closer to home who have been badly affected by the torrential rain in the two counties.
“There are situations where livestock and animals have been lost, where farm buildings having been destroyed in landslides, where roads and bridges have been washed away”.
That’s why we’ll make funding available to help householders and businesses with their Council Tax and business rates bills for as long as they are out of their properties.
ICAEW also urged the government to extend tax return deadlines for businesses affected by the floods, recommending three-month extensions for VAT, income tax and corporation tax returns.
Last weekend’s devastating floods in Cumbria will lead to claims costing over £20 million, NFU Mutual has estimated.
Fire service officials in the United Kingdom have taken an innovative approach to recent flood rescue initiatives in the wake of Storm Desmond.
Environment Agency staff have been out in the local communities with emergency services and local authorities checking and maintaining flood defences. The CLA is providing advice and support to members across affected areas, and we have heard numerous examples of the solidarity and resilience of rural communities despite the devastation of the storm.
Figures from a rain gauge at Honister in the Lake District showed a United Kingdom record 341mm of rain fell in 24 hours at the weekend.
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Mr Wilding added: “We urge people not drive through flood water, just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your vehicle”.
