Local MP Richard Arkless has spoken up in Westminster to ensure that Dumfries and Galloway receives as large a financial settlement as possible from the EU Solidarity Fund.
The UK Government has made an application to the EU Solidarity Fund for financial assistance for flood-hit communities.
Mr Arkless this week questioned the under-Secretary State for Communities and Local Government, James Wharton MP, about how any EU money would be apportioned to affected areas.
Speaking is the House of Commons, Mr Arkless said:
“I accept that the final quantum award under any EU solidarity fund has not been decided, but may I nevertheless ask the Minister to ensure that, however, it is apportioned, it reaches the communities that were actually affected? A simple population share going to the Scottish Government will not ensure that it reaches my constituency of Dumfries and Galloway. Scotland only has 10% of the population but suffered more than 10% of the damage. I don’t want us shortchanged like our farmers are for less favoured area payments.”
The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) was set up to respond to major natural disasters and express European solidarity to disaster-stricken regions within Europe. The Fund was created as a reaction to the severe floods in Central Europe in the summer of 2002. Since then, it has been used for 70 disasters covering a range of different catastrophic events including floods, forest fires, earthquakes, storms and drought. 24 different European countries have been supported so far for an amount of over 3.7 billion Euro.
Commenting Mr Arkless said:
“The crux of my question was to try to ascertain how any award from the EU Solidarity Fund would be divided up amongst the regions most affected by the storms. Will it be given to Scotland on the basis of the current block grant formula or will there be specific recognition for the most areas affected?”
“I am keen to ensure that Dumfries and Galloway receives as large a settlement as possible given the extent of the damage and destruction caused to our region by storms Desmond and Eva. The money should be divided on the basis of need and not population share as is so often the case with Scotland. The EU allocate on the basis of need so Westminster should do the same.”
“While the process to draw any cash from the fund is long and arduous, the UK Government is likely to receive something and I want to ensure that Dumfries and Galloway is near the top of the list when the funds are being allocated.”
Mr Wharton MP responded to Mr Akless’ question by saying:
“We are talking to the Scottish Government about what we can do to help Scotland, what Scotland’s needs are and what the impact is to inform the bid that we are making to the EU solidarity fund. We will keep the House updated as we know more, and as the process progresses.”
