Government offers business rates and council tax relief following severe flooding

The measure was announced following the first meeting of the cross-Whitehall Flood Recovery Taskforce on Friday, chaired by Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick to support communities as they respond to this serious emergency.

Under the measure, households and businesses that have been intensely affected by the flooding will be eligible for 100 per cent relief on their council tax and business rates for at least the next three months.

“It will take time for communities to get back on their feet, and hard-working people and businesses who have experienced intense flooding should not have to worry about paying council tax and business rates while they focus on their recovery,” said Mr Jenrick.

The government’s announcement follows a series of measures introduced by the government to respond to the severe weather in the north of England and the Midlands and support communities’ recovery. 

Also last week, HMRC advised people affected by flooding to get in contact with its Business Payment Support Service (BPPS), which supports taxpayers by offering practical help and advice on a wide range of tax problems.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is also providing funding for a Business Recovery Grant, which will provide up to £2,500 per eligible small and medium-sized business that have suffered severe impacts from the floods that cannot be recovered from insurance.

Moreover, help has been offered to farmers badly affected by the adverse weather, with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) issuing grants between £500 and £25,000 to cover repair costs to those who have suffered uninsurable damage.

On Tuesday there were 25 flood warnings in place and 64 flood alerts, advising communities to be prepared as flooding is possible. 

According to the Environment Agency, around 22,000 properties have been protected by flood defences in England since the flooding began, including nearly 7,000 properties in Yorkshire alone.