Today I have written to Eric Pickles, Lord Smith, Owen Paterson MP and Brandon Lewis MP to ask for the UK Government to apply for EU flood funding as a matter of urgency. It is only our own money back!
I
write to you today as a representative for the West Midlands region, where
Worcestershire has been severely affected by the recent flooding.
The
UK now ought to apply to European Union Solidarity Fund and reclaim some of our
taxes.
The
European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) was set up to respond to major natural
disasters and express European solidarity to disaster-stricken regions within
Europe. The Fund was created as a reaction to the severe floods in Central
Europe in the summer of 2002.
The
UK has only once applied for assistance, in June 2007, in response to flooding.
€162 million was given.
Over
the weekend, more money has been given to the EU than has been given to the
victims of flooding. This is wrong. We must apply for this money as a matter of
urgency. As you may well know, the UK is a net contributor to the European
Union and therefore I think it is of upmost importance that we claim a refund
on this money to help those who need it during these incredibly difficult
weather conditions. Better still, not pay into the EU at all.
This
fund must be applied for within 10 weeks, and the clock is now ticking. I urge
you to apply for this money as a matter of urgency.
I
would also urge that you ensure that the full grant is used for the flood in
accordance to EU rules, and does not get diverted or returned by HM Treasury,
as was allegedly the case in 2007 with £79 million of the £110 million granted
to the UK by the fund in 2007.
