RDA Regional Flood Response Actions
Introduction
Following the widespread flooding across the country in June and July, the Government is committed to helping businesses recover quickly. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) is working closely with other Government Departments, the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), local Government Offices, and business organisations to assess the impact of the flooding and ensure the most effective response.
Key Business Questions Answered
The Government is committed to listening to business concerns, and BERR is currently consulting widely with business representatives about the impact of the floods. Ministers are visiting the affected areas to talk directly to businesses about their concerns.
The Government is working closely with the insurance industry to monitor the response of the industry to the flooding. We are also looking at the key lessons learnt, and how the response could be improved in the future.
A number of issues have been raised with our Ministers and advice can be found in the attached link. If you have a specific enquiry please contact your local RDA in the first instance, as they will be best place to deal with local issues.
Support is also available from Business Link and your local Chamber of Commerce
Advantage West Midlands (AWM)
Funding package is mostly in place to offer support until 31 March 2008. The loan scheme has a deadline for applications of 31 January 2008, the support to the Severn Valley Railway is to be spent by 31 March, the marketing and publicity activity is in the main complete, but AWM are continuing to work with affected areas to promote festivals and events during 2008. The infrastructure support again is likely to be fully spent by 31 March 2008.
East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA)
The EMDA scheme is now closed.
South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA)
Scheme closed on 21 December 2007, with final claims paid by 28 February 2008. SEEDA closed their scheme to new applications in December 2007, and will close the payments by the end of March 2008.
South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA)
Scheme closed on 31 December 2007, however, other aspects of the flood scheme will continue into 2008. SEEDA are also proposing further schemes for support over and above the initial £2 million approval.
Yorkshire Forward
What is available:
For SMEs
£2 million Flood Recovery Scheme (up to £2,500 per company).
For medium/larger companies:
£3 million funding for medium and large companies (grants of £10,000 to £100,000 for companies with more than 50 employees).
For companies in South Yorkshire, funding is through the EU Objective 1 programme.
For further details contact the Yorkshire Forward website or call Business Link on 0845 833 6000