THE UK has not ruled out bidding for European Union cash to help victims of the winter floods, Environment Secretary Liz Truss has insisted.

The Cabinet Minister told MPs the Government needs to know the total cost of the floods before submitting an application ahead of the end of February deadline.

Labour warned time is running out, adding it is "imperative" for ministers to do "everything possible to maximise resources".


Liz Truss Speaking in the Commons, Ms Truss said: "We haven't ruled out an application to the EU solidarity fund, we've got until the end of February to apply and we need to find out what the total cost of the floods (was) before an application would be made.

"But our priority has been making sure we get funding to affected homes and businesses as soon as possible.

"In fact, if you look at the floods that took place on December 26, funding was with local authorities on December 29.

"So our priority has been making sure that we've put £200 million available to fix the damage and help communities get back on their feet."

Shadow environment minister Alex Cunningham said the winter floods are estimated to have caused damage totalling £5 billion.

On the EU cash, he told Ms Truss: "Time is running out, only three or four weeks for an application in relation to Cumbria, will you just get on with the job and do it now please?"

Ms Truss defended the Government's spending on flood defences in comparison to the previous Labour administration.

Ms Truss also said a national review of flood defences will assess if Sheffield has the protection it needs.

Labour's Louise Haigh (Sheffield Heeley) told the Environment Secretary: "Sheffield remains £20 million short of its investment needed to protect our city.

"I know the department is holding a teleconference with council leaders, but will the minister commit to visiting Sheffield to see the innovative flood defences we have planned which will protect the city from a potential £1 billion of economic damage?"

Ms Truss replied: "In fact, as part of the national resilience review being led by (Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Letwin), Sheffield is one of the core cities that will be particularly looked at to make sure that it is sufficiently resilient to flooding.

"So I'm sure as part of that review there will be a visit to Sheffield to make sure that that very important city does have the protection it needs."