THE European Commission caught the Westminster Government and Brexiteers alike on the hop by yesterday announcing aid to the UK worth €60 million.
The money, from the EU Solidarity Fund, follows the severe floods in December 2015 and January 2016.
The announcement followed the controversial bid by the UK Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for help with the costs of the flood damage. The application was made a day before the deadline when Conservative MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said in the Commons: “We do not need this funding to do what we have to do to secure our communities.”
The Scottish Government confirmed last night that it will be seeking its share of the funds – Aberdeenshire and the Borders were particularly badly affected – which have still to be confirmed by the European Parliament and Council.
Scotland cannot apply directly for the funds, with the DCLG responsible for the bid, but the Scottish Government said they were a reason for staying in the EU.
Ministers at the department did not appear to be aware of the announcement, with the normally loquacious communities and local government secretary Sajid Javid saying nothing on his Twitter account.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Following last year’s severe flooding, the Scottish Government provided immediate financial assistance to affected householders and businesses and supported clear-up costs. The EU Solidarity Fund offers funds to member states following natural disasters and the Scottish Government contributed to the UK’s application for support. The Fund is yet another example of why we have always been clear that remaining members of the EU is the best option for our future.
“We welcome the European Commission’s agreement to provide financial support and will press the UK Government to ensure Scotland receives its fair share of funding.”
The Commission noted that heavy rainfall and strong winds led to flooding in parts of the UK which “affected essential infrastructure, especially for transport, as well as public buildings, private homes, businesses and farmland in several regions of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.”
Regional policy commissioner Corina Creţu said: “The EU Solidarity Fund lends a helping hand to populations affected by natural disasters.
“This financial aid will help cover the costs of emergency measures, clean-up operations and of the restoration of vital infrastructure.”
The UK last gained money from the Fund in 2007, again due to flooding, with the Labour Government receiving €162m.
In total the Fund has disbursed €3.9 billion since 2002, with Italy receiving the largest share, some €1.3 billion for earthquake and flooding damage.
A DCLG spokesperson said: “We continue to strongly support flood-affected communities, with almost £300 million already provided over the past year to help people get back on their feet – more than double that paid out by government in 2007.
“Under EU rules, the funding announced today can only be used to reimburse public sector costs of responding to emergencies and the subsequent recovery, so cannot be paid directly to individual households or businesses.”
A spokesman for Ukip said: “At least we are getting some of our money back, but there’s bound to be conditions attached.”
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