Yorkshire Forward: Help for Businesses Affected by Flooding

£1million for Yorkshire businesses hit by floods

Yorkshire Forward is investing up to £1 million recovery funding to help businesses in Yorkshire that have been affected by flooding. A small business recovery scheme will be set up to provide up to £2,500 per company for immediate recovery needs. Small businesses will need to fill in a one page form to apply for this assistance which will be available from next week. Larger companies (employing over 250 people) will be assessed on a case by case basis to assess their specific needs and determine what support they need.

Both schemes contain criteria to ensure that support does not duplicate what insurance policies would cover. This process will be run alongside the recovery plans of Local Authorities and with the assistance of Business Link, the Chambers of Commerce and other partners working through a single point of contact. Companies from across the region can contact 0800 022 6201 from midday on Friday 29 June to register and receive more details. Lines will be open 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward said:

"The exceptional scale of this flooding warrants swift and decisive support to be put in place for affected businesses. I have talked to a number of regional MPs in the last day or two and have agreed that Yorkshire Forward should make financial support available to help businesses affected by the flooding to restore their business premises and begin trading as soon as possible. Care will be taken to ensure that this does not duplicate support that insurance would cover."

Yorkshire Forward is also looking at what help might be available from the European Commission.