Michael Gove announces financial support for Suffolk in wake of Storm Babet

The Government has announced it will fund flood support to Suffolk residents following storm Babet’s destruction.

The funding is designed to not only benefit affected households but also businesses.

The funding breakdown is as follows:

• £500 to help with immediate costs for flooded households.
• 100% council tax and business rates relief lasting at least three months for households and businesses ‘significantly affected’.
• £2,500 for small-to-medium-sized businesses in affected areas.
• £5,000 designed to help property owners make their homes more resilient.

Although the finer detail is yet to be announced, the funding is designed to give those impacted ‘a helping hand so they can get back on their feet,’ says Communities Secretary, Michael Gove.

County Council leader Matthew Hicks, said: “Suffolk communities were among the hardest hit in our region, so this additional Government financial support is very welcome.

“Councils in Suffolk are currently gathering details of precisely how many properties were damaged in the floods, but we know that this support is urgently needed and we will do everything in our power to get it out to home and business owners as soon as possible.”

In the meantime, the council is calling on residents and business owners who have been affected to report using the ‘Report a flood’ system on its website