Greg Clark: Help with Council Tax and business rates for flood-hit communities
Flood affected communities will not face Council Tax or business rate bills.
This news item is not being updated. Read Winter flooding 2015: community support for current information.
Flood affected communities will not face Council Tax or business rate bills for the homes and businesses they have been displaced from, Greg Clark announced today (8 December 2015).
The Communities Secretary said this forms part of wider government efforts to ensure areas affected by the aftermath of Storm Desmond get the support they need.
Communities Secretary Greg Clark said:
We’re determined to stand squarely behind the communities and families whose lives have been turned upside down in the wake of storm Desmond.
Residents and businesses who have been displaced by flooding should not have to worry about Council Tax and business rate bills on top of everything else they will be facing at this difficult time.
That’s why we’ll make funding available to help householders and businesses with their Council Tax and business rates bills for as long as they are out of their properties.
Today’s announcement follows confirmation that the Bellwin scheme is open so councils can get 100% of the emergency costs above the threshold.
And it follows record government investment in flood protection, with a clear commitment to build 1,400 more flood defences and protect 300,000 more homes from flooding across the country.
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