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CAN WE PLEASE HAVE SOME OF OUR MONEY BACK?
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In the aftermath of flooding which has hit homes across Yorkshire, a local MEP has called upon the British government to seek assistance under the European Solidarity Fund. The fund, which is already financed by the taxpayer, provides funding for relief from natural disasters. In 2005, Bulgaria, Romania and Austria1 were successful in applications for financial assistance from the fund.
Until now, estimates of the damage cost have been too low to qualify for this funding. Following further heavy rain over the weekend, the cost of the damage is now sufficient for an application to be made2.
Commenting on his proposal, Godfrey Bloom MEP said:
“In my constituency, 16,000 people have been displaced in Hull due to flooding. There have been deaths and severe disruption in Sheffield. Meadowhall, one of Europe’s largest shopping centres, was closed for a week. Residents in Doncaster, York and other areas have also been hit hard. I think that this should be enough to qualify as an ‘extraordinary’ event under EU regulations. Surely it’s time for the British government to ask the European Commission – ‘Can we please have some of our money back?’”
Responding to critics who questioned why an MEP from the anti-EU UK Independence Party wants Britain to seek ‘EU funding’, Godfrey Bloom said:
“Where do they think EU money comes from in the first place, if not from the British taxpayer? We’re only asking for some of our own money back, and if they give it to us no doubt they will expect us to be pathetically grateful.”
Official information on the European Solidarity Fund can be found at http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/g24217.htm
For further information please contact:
Godfrey Bloom MEP 01757 630778 / 07901 710518
Jonathan Arnott (Press Officer) 0114 2645656 / 07732 857339
Note to Editors:
1 - Between April and August 2005 severe floods hit large parts of Central and Eastern Europe causing severe damage in a number of countries. Bulgaria, Romania and Austria applied for financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund relating to the storm. The Commission, after a thorough examination, considered the flooding to be ‘extraordinary’ within the meaning of the regulation and meet the conditions set out by the regulation for exceptionally mobilising the Solidarity Fund. See http://europa.eu/bulletin/en/200603/bulletin200603en.pdf
2 - Under EU rules the total cost of the damage must be at least 3 billion euros (£2.0 billion) plus inflation since 2002 (taking the total cost to £2.3-£2.4 billion).
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