Floods Recovery Minister John Healey has confirmed an interim Bellwin payment to Hull of £1,800,693 which will cover some of the costs incurred during last summer's floods, with the possibility of a further payment to follow.

Mr Healey and European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Hubner visited Hull on Friday to see how the city will put to good use its share of £394m of European Regional Development Funding for the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Commissioner Hubner said that good progress is being made to agree arrangements for E162m from the EU Solidarity Fund to be paid to the UK.

Council Leader Carl Minns showed John Healey, Commissioner Hubner and Hull East MP John Prescott how European Regional Development Funding is being put to good use in the city including the World Trade Centre at Humber Quays and plans for further European Funding for the SPICE project; including Hull's active collaboration with European ports in Rotterdam, Copenhagen and Hamburg that will improve drainage and water pumping to manage rainfall, ground and surface water, tidal and river flows and sea levels to protect future economic growth.


John Healey MP said: "Last summer, we saw the worst floods in this country for over a century. I made many visits to Hull, and saw for myself the extraordinary work of the council and other agencies to help and support those communities.

"I am committed to helping for the long haul as they continue to lead the recovery effort in their local communities. That is why I announced £362,000 last month to help those Hull families still living in caravans to cope over the winter months, bringing total flood recovery funding for Hull to almost £6m on top of the £1.8m announced today."

Commissioner Hubner said: "The European Commission is determined to mobilise funds to help the regions affected to recover from this catastrophe."

The official procedure to make available €162.3 million for the UK is underway.

(VB)