Sir, I wanted to inform readers that I have once again written to Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mr Owen Paterson MP, in order to impress upon him the need for the Government to make an application to the EU Solidarity Fund to help areas affected by flooding.

For some time now I have been having discussions behind the scenes about the disastrous flooding in Somerset and other areas of the South West.

My experience in Gloucestershire in 2007, when a successful application was made, leads me to believe that there would be a huge benefit for local people and businesses. At that time I was the lead member on Gloucestershire County Council with responsibility for flood recovery, and I remember very clearly the effort that was put into preparing the figures for the application. It was onerous but perfectly manageable, and had some significant tangible benefits for immediate recovery and long term resilience.

I am pushing the Government to apply for this funding – it is only the Government that can apply on behalf of our hardest hit communities. I will continue to keep your readers up to date with progress updates.

Julie Girling MEP

Conservative Member South West England and Gibraltar

European Parliament

Agriculture and Rural Development Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Fisheries