Brown's sympathy for flood victims

Updated 23.12 Fri Jul 06 2007

Keywords: floods, Hull, Archbishop of York, Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown has expressed his sympathy for victims left homeless by the torrential rain and flooding across Britain and pledged the Government would do all it can to help them.

The Prime Minister promised that a comprehensive programme of aid would be put in place to address both the short-term and long-term problems caused by the flooding.

Dr Sentamu will meet victims of the devastation after 17,500 homes were affected

The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu earlier visited flood-ravaged Hull, dubbed the "forgotten city" of the crisis by local leaders.

Dr Sentamu met victims of the devastation after 17,500 homes were affected, including 10,500 which had to be evacuated, as well as council officials involved in the flood relief programme.

Speaking in Hull, he called on the Government to "match up" to the immediate relief brought in by the council.

He said: "The council and all the agencies have done a wonderful job in coordinating the immediate relief but what needs to happen now is to make sure that those who lost their homes can be sorted out pretty quickly.

He added: "So I'm hoping that the insurance companies will do it quickly, I'm hoping the mortgage companies, where people have got to re-mortgage their houses, will be more gracious, and I'm hoping that the central Government will match up to what the council is trying to do."

Leader of Hull Council, Carl Minns, has claimed it is the "forgotten city" in the crisis and is facing a bill which could well top £200 million.

Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield have launched the South Yorkshire Flood Victim Support Appeal and local residents are being asked to raise money for those affected by flooding and also to donate unwanted furniture.

On Thursday, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, Health Secretary Alan Johnson and new Floods Minister John Healey toured flood-hit areas in Sheffield and Hull.

Mr Johnson, who was touring Hull in his capacity as the local MP, said: "The important thing today is for John (Healey) to be here, to talk to people about their issues, and to get a first hand experience of the devastation caused in Hull.

"I am confident we will receive the help we need."

Mr Minns said he is pleased further help is on its way. He said the flood had caused "devastation, lives wrecked, families ruined, and a lot of heartache".

He added: "I'm very encouraged by the response from the Minister. I've confidence that he won't let us down."

Forecasters said last month was the wettest June for almost 150 years. An average of 140mm of rain fell across England and Wales - twice the long-term average and the highest since 1860, according to MeteoGroup UK.