Hull Labour MPs fight for fair deal for Hull flood victims

Hull's three Labour MPs John Prescott, Alan Johnson and Diana Johnson today announced more progress in getting help to those who have suffered most from the recent flooding.

The news comes after a meeting at Westminster between Hull's MPs and John Healey, Minister of State with responsibility for flooding. Hull's MPs have been raising with ministers many of the local issues that constituents have brought to their attention. These include concerns over insurance cover, drain maintenance, provision of flood rescue equipment for fire-fighters and statutory responsibility for flood rescue.

A further meeting was held with Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, to discuss schools in the city damaged by flooding. The Secretary of State plans to visit Hull to see local schools, if possible before the end of the summer term.

On 9 July, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears announced an initial £14 million of Government aid to flooded areas. £10 million of this will be available for local authorities in affected areas to help those people who need immediate support. Hull's MPs have lobbied hard to ensure that Hull gets it fair share of this sum, reflecting the number of people in Hull who have suffered the effects of flooding.

Hull's MPs, working with the local authority in Hull, hope to make further announcements in the near future.

Ends