Households and business owners significantly affected by recent flooding will have immediate relief on their council tax and business rates, the Prime Minister announced on 15 November, after the first meeting of the ‘cross-Whitehall’ Flood Recovery Taskforce.

Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “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.

"Funding announced today will give all eligible flooded households and businesses immediate relief on their council tax and business rates for at least the next three months, and help communities to recover.”

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is providing funding for a Business Recovery Grant.

This will provide up to £2,500 per eligible small and medium-size business that has suffered “severe impacts” that cannot be recovered from insurance.