Following today’s announcement that the Government will make an application to the EU solidarity fund (EUSF) in response to recent flooding, Martin asked for assurance that this potential funding will not be used to offset Government funding that has already been allocated.
You can watch Martin’s question to James Wharton MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government, on the player below. You can also read the whole debate here.
Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con):
I welcome the Minister’s decision. Will he give an assurance that, if the application is successful, it will not be used to offset funding already allocated from other resources and that it will actually make more resources available to improve defences along the Humber estuary and elsewhere?
James Wharton:
We do not yet know what the final quantum will be, or how long the money will take to be paid. What matters is ensuring that communities get the support they need now. The Government have made, and are making, that support available, and we continue to work with local authorities to deliver it. That is our priority, but we are confirming that this fund will be applied for, and we will, of course, keep hon. Members updated as we progress through the process.