SNP MSP for the South of Scotland Aileen McLeod today (Saturday) welcomed the announcement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of a further £1 million to support businesses, individuals and community groups affected by flooding. Dumfries & Galloway Council has already been allocated £700,000 and the new announcement takes the total available to people affected in the region to £1.7 million.
Councils will also be able to bid into a separate £5 million fund which will support repairs to infrastructure and a fund of up to £1 million has been established to support repairs to agricultural flood defences.
Commenting as she visited areas affected by flooding in the Glenkens today, Aileen said:
“Since Hogmanay I have tried to meet as many people as I could who have been affected by the flooding. The strength of their resilience and determination to get back on their feet has been humbling and I’ve been clear that we need to everything we can to help our communities to recover from this extremely distressing event.
“In December Dumfries & Galloway Council was allocated £700,000 by the Scottish Government to make direct grant support to individuals and businesses affected by flooding. The new funding announced today will allow the Council to expand that scheme and also make specific, larger additional grants to businesses which have been affected.
“Every household and business premises that has seen flood water damage will be able to claim a grant of £1,500 from the Local Authority. They can use this to replace lost or damaged items or to take steps to help flood proof their home.
“We know that the weather has also impacted on business – that is why any business who has had their ability to trade impacted by the flooding will also be able to claim a £3,000 grant.
“When I met with senior officers at Dumfries & Galloway Council yesterday afternoon I stressed to them how important it is that this support starts to reach the people who need it as quickly as possible. That is of paramount importance and I know people will want that process to be as simple and straightforward as possible.”
