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Government departments, councils and the Environment Agency are working together to respond to the flooding during the winter of 2015 to 2016 across the North of England, and to help communities recover.

Latest announcements

There鈥檚 a list of all relevant government announcements on 188体育.

Check for flood warnings

You should continue to and keep up to date by following and on Twitter.

If you鈥檙e in Scotland please check the warnings on the . If you鈥檙e in Wales alerts are available . Information is also available for anyone .

Government support for homes, businesses, farmers and councils

In total the government鈥檚 investment in recovery from Storm Eva and Storm Desmond now amounts to nearly 拢200 million.

Households and businesses

We are:

• helping the people directly affected by the floods 鈥� providing local authorities with over 拢500 for each household affected; for example, to help with temporary accommodation costs whilst we work to get people back into their homes

• support people as they protect their homes against future floods by providing grants of up to 拢5000, so they can install new flood barriers, replace doors and windows with water resistant alternatives, or move electricity sockets up to a safer level

• ensuring flood affected businesses that have had their trading disrupted can get back on their feet, with funding equivalent to 拢2,500 provided to local authorities for each business affected

• ensuring that flood affected communities will not face Council Tax or business rates bills for their homes and businesses for as long as they are out of their properties

Farmers

Farmers affected by the recent flooding in Cumbria, Northumberland, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Durham can get grants worth up to 拢20,000 to help restore damaged agricultural land under the Farming Recovery Fund. Farmers experiencing difficulties getting online can call the Rural Payments helpline on 03000 200 301.

The Rural Payments Agency has published guidance about farm inspections, animal movements, TB testing, impacts on Basic Payment Scheme eligibility, and other Cross Compliance requirements.

The NFU has produced a in the North East and North West. It contains information on where advice and funding is available to help with the recovery operation.

Local authorities

We have opened the Bellwin scheme for councils affected by floods resulting from storms Desmond and Eva. Under this scheme, councils can apply to have 100% of their costs above threshold reimbursed by the government.

Roads, transport and flood defences

We have announced that we will provide 拢40 million of funding to help repair flood-damaged roads and bridges in Cumbria and Lancashire. We have also announced 拢3.3 million for Tadcaster bridges and 拢5.5 million to repair Elland Bridge in Calderdale.

We鈥檙e providing an additional 拢10 million so that the Environment Agency can repair flood defences that were damaged by Storm Desmond and we have announced a package of more than 拢40 million to rebuild and improve flood defences in the aftermath of Storm Eva. Of this, 拢10 million will be reserved to improve the Foss Barrier protecting York, which was overwhelmed at the height of Storm Eva. The other 拢30 million will be spent repairing defences on the Wharfe, Calder, Aire, Ouse and Derwent. It will include repairs to pumping and barriers and clearing blockages in rivers.

Tourism

The Prime Minister announced, on 28 January 2016, a support package to boost tourism across flood-hit north.

Charities

The government will support charities helping those caught up in each of the two recent storms by matching every pound of the first 拢2 million raised in each case. Applications for Storm Desmond or Storm Eva can be made by any registered charities currently running a fundraising appeal for flood relief to benefit each of the affected areas. The deadline for applications is 5 February 2016.

Sports facilities

Sport England has an now amounting to 拢400,000 to help people repair sports pitches and facilities destroyed by this winter鈥檚 unprecedented rainfall. This will help clubs, local authorities and other community sports organisations in affected areas to help pay for emergency repairs to damaged facilities such as rugby and cricket pitches, water sports centres, pavilions, changing rooms and floodlights.

Government action on flood defences

Flood defences helped to protect 11,000 homes across the north of England, and provided vital time for homes and businesses to be evacuated as well as reducing the impact.

Over the next 6 years we will be investing 拢2.3 billion in flood defences which is a real terms increase on the 拢1.7 billion invested in the last Parliament. This in turn is a real terms increase on the 拢1.5 billion spent between 2005 and 2010.

In addition, flood maintenance spending will be protected in real terms over this Parliament.

Flood insurance

The insurance industry is responding with help for homeowners. The Association of British Insurers has published a film on how to protect your home if you live in a flood prone area, or make a claim if you鈥檙e recovering from a flood. You can find more information on the .

Health

Guidance on recovering from floods:

• Flooding: health guidance and advice

Advice and information

• Sign up for flood warnings
• Prepare for a flood and get help during and after

Met Office

For the latest weather warnings visit the or follow them on Twitter: .

Highways England

For advice on travel by road visit the Highways England website or follow them on Twitter: .

National Rail

Check with .