Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Flooding: Funding

Wednesday 17 January 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government allocated up to 15 million to support businesses and non-domestic properties in Northern Ireland affected by flooding.
  • Only 1 million of the allocated 15 million has been utilized so far.
  • Up to 10 million has been made available to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ireland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Northern Ireland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from the ongoing issue of flooding in Northern Ireland, where businesses and non-domestic properties are significantly impacted. The government has reallocated up to £15 million of funding to support these areas.

Question

What progress he has made on allocating funding to help tackle the impact of flooding in Northern Ireland. In the absence of the Executive, this Government have made up to £15 million of support available for businesses and non-domestic properties through the reallocation of existing funding. It is for the Northern Ireland civil service and local councils to consider how to utilise the remaining funds to provide further support to businesses and non-domestic properties.

Answer from Steven Baker

In the absence of the Executive, this Government have made up to £15 million of support available for businesses and non-domestic properties through the reallocation of existing funding. It is for the Northern Ireland civil service and local councils to consider how to utilise the remaining funds to provide further support to businesses and non-domestic properties.

Answered
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Q2 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Climate Northern Ireland
Context

The question addresses the need for building resilience against future climate challenges. York's resilience measures cost over £100 million to protect the city during winter, while businesses in Newry face a potential loss of £37 million due to winter weather conditions.

Question

Building resilience for the future is vital if this Government are to address the challenges around climate change. York's resilience measures cost over £100 million to protect my city this winter, but the estimated cost to businesses in Newry alone is £37 million as a result of the winter weather. When will the Minister bring forward a proper amount of money—not just £15 million, which may be a deposit—to ensure that Northern Ireland can build its resilience for the future?

Answer from Steven Baker

I will answer in a couple of ways. First, only just over £1 million of that £15 million has been drawn down, which is a sign that the amount is sufficient. Secondly, the Northern Ireland civil service has recently announced that up to £10 million has been made available to assist small and medium sized businesses, with up to £100,000 available per business. The experience of her constituents—I have the figures in front of me—shows that this Government are committed to our infrastructure being ready for the future. That is partly why we are so keen to see the Executive back, with a large package to help support the stabilisation and transformation of public services, so we can get the kind of investment she refers to.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked for a commitment on bringing forward proper funding beyond £15 million. The answer did not commit to this but provided context around current figures and future aspirations with no concrete timeline or figure.

How: Hedging, Procedural

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