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Dear Editor,
On 13 July, an initial £2.15 million of humanitarian aid was allocated by the Government for Hull’s flood victims. This money was given to Hull City Council to distribute. While not responsible for
the distribution of this money, the Government made it clear that it was to be used – and used completely – to help relieve the immediate hardship caused by the flooding.
My view, as a Hull MP, was that to do this quickly the money should have been given equally to all flood-affected households, requiring the minimum red tape. Labour councils in flooded areas took
this approach. For example, in Rotherham every flooded household received £750 swiftly.
Unfortunately, Lib Dem Hull City Council took the opposite approach. I agree with those who have said that Hull’s means-tested aid policy has been inefficient and unfair - especially to those with
insurance. I am disappointed with the resulting slowness of this money going to my constituents, and that it will not go to all local residents hit by flooding.
Hull deserves better.
Yours sincerely,
Diana Johnson MP
Kingston upon Hull North
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10 August 2007: To Hull Daily Mail - published 17 August 2007
