£10 million Farming Flood Recovery Fund to open on Friday
Farmers whose businesses have been directly affected by flooding will be able access £10 million of government support from Friday, Farming Minister George Eustice has announced today. The £10 million Farming Recovery Fund was announced by the Prime Minister on the 11 February as part of a comprehensive package of measures to help hard-working people […]
A grass roots approach to flooding
Scientists at Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), are working with partners at Rothamsted Research North Wyke in Devon to develop new grasses that enable grassland soils to capture increased volumes of rainfall, thereby reducing the risk of flooding downstream. The 5 year £2.5 million LINK project named SUREROOT is funded […]
Morecambe’s volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew in animal mud rescue
Just before midday on Friday 7 February 2014, Liverpool Coastguard tasked the Morecambe RNLI hovercraft crew to locate and rescue a cow that was reported to be stuck in mud on the river bank opposite Lancaster Golf Club. Launching onto the river, the hovercraft crew quickly located the frightened animal; which had sunk deep into […]
Tax helpline launched to support people affected by flooding
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has today launched a new telephone helpline for anyone affected by the recent floods. The helpline will enable anyone affected to get fast, practical help and advice on a wide range of tax problems they may be facing. HMRC will also: agree instalment arrangements where taxpayers are unable to pay […]
New rest centre and sandbags
A Bridgwater rest centre is now up and running for the people evacuated from flooded areas of the Somerset Levels. Westfield Church, West Street, in Bridgwater is now available for people leaving some of the worst hit areas in Northmoor, Fordgate and Saltmoor. People living in these areas have been advised by Avon and Somerset […]
IAgrE calls for renewed focus into soil and water drainage
Commenting on the recent appalling weather and devastation to farmlands Alastair Taylor IAgrE CEO said: “The current extreme weather is definitely bringing into emphasis how the nation has neglected land drainage and flood mitigation work. This brings into focus the role of agricultural engineers, specialising in soil and water engineering, in preventing, or at least […]
Green Party calls for Environment Secretary Owen Paterson to be sacked
Professor Molly Scott-Cato, leading Green Party MEP candidate for South West, the region which has borne the brunt of the Environment Secretary’s ill-judged policies, says Paterson’s handling of the flooding is the “final straw”. The Greens cite a string of failures which demonstrate his inability to fulfill his role as head of the Department for […]
‘Flood management review needed urgently’ following Environment Agency Chairman’s comment
The organisation said it is vital the Government recognises the economic importance of agricultural land if we are we going to achieve food security – and ensures its budget is spent on flood protection across the board. CLA President Henry Robinson said: “The Government says it values food security but we are never going to […]
Barclays extends emergency support to customers affected by severe flooding
The recent severe wet weather has been devastating for individuals and businesses alike. Farmland has been especially hard in many areas leading to uncertainty about finances – particularly in cases where insurance claims are taking a long time to settle. Those with loans, for instance, can find themselves in difficulties where cash flow is an […]
