Nikki Sinclaire MEP slams UK Government claiming ’we need to re-assess
our priorities’’ calling on them also to apply for the European Union
Solidarity Fund (EUSF) if possible.
Commenting after the Worcestershire flooding overnight, Nikki said,
“It is unbelievable that we as a country sent more money to the European
Union this weekend than what is being given to national flood victims. This is
wrong and we need to re-assess our priorities”.
However more importantly 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.
She added,
“Even better would be to not pay £53 million per day to the European
Union. Any money in the European Union Solidarity Fund is only our own money as
we are net contributors to the EU. Why are we paying to fund 27 other nations
when we have a flooding crisis in our own country? People have had their lives
devastated and need the money as soon as possible.”
Since 2002, EUSF been used for 56 disasters covering a range of
different catastrophic events including floods, forest fires, earthquakes,
storms and drought. 23 different European countries have been supported so far
for an amount of more than €3.5 billion.
The UK has only once applied for assistance, in June 2007, in response
to flooding. €162 million was given.
Applications must be made within 10 weeks of the event and Aid will only
be given if the costs of the damage exceed €3.7 billion.
Nikki said,
“Nationally extreme damage has been caused to railway lines, property
and farmland I wouldn’t be surprised if cost to restore all fixings to their
previous condition come somewhere within that cost region! We must take action
now.’’
