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PRESS RELEASE IMMEDIATE
NIRJ DEVA MEP FOR SURREY AND BERKSHIRE SEEKING FLOOD RELIEF AID APPLAUDS
LOCAL COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND EFFORT.
| | Beyond the hard numbers of property damage and insurance claims one can barely quantify the personal and emotional injury caused by such a disaster. For now, all we can endeavour to do is press on with all urgency.
I can only applaud my constituents in the South East region who have come together in an incredible display of selfless community spirit. I was particularly struck in hearing of the efforts of villagers in Twyford, Hampshire, who have tirelessly assisted with pumps, sandbags and reducing waste water - just one example, which I know is indicative of many communities throughout the South East and notably the assiduous local Conservative Councillors in Staines, Datchet, Horton, Wraysbury, Egham Chertsey, Windsor with whom I am in touch.
As a Member of the European Parliament for Surrey and Berkshire, I am doing everything in my power to help with these already sterling relief efforts. To this effect, I have assisted in the initiation of the UK's claim to the EU Solidarity Fund. With a budget of £414 million, this fund is designed precisely to respond to such major natural disasters. I am assisting HMG in applying to two further funds: one designed for longer term regional resilience (ERDF); and the other to compensate for agricultural damages (EAF). It is only right that British taxpayers, who contribute annually to these funds, should now receive their deserved share.
I have already spoken with the Solidarity Fund's responsible officer from the European Commission (see letter attached), who now awaits an application from the British government. Having also spoken with Rt. Hon Eric Pickles MP (see letter attached), I am assured that the Treasury is filing this application imminently. I will be monitoring this process, closely and impatiently. Having been involved in similar negotiations following the 2007 floods, I am confident that the Conservative delegation will see this application through to its completion.
In the meantime, if there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to get in touch with my office at office@nirjdeva.com and with Richard Robinson at richard@robinsonsoutheast.co.uk.
Note To Editors
Enclosed Letters:
Letter to European Commission DG Regional and Urban Policy (Mr. Wachter)
Letter to Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP for Brentwood and Ognar
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