MPs have called on the UK Government to provide more help to flood-hit communities in Wales.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (February 26), Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney MP Gerald Jones asked PM Boris Johnson for “major new funding” for Wales in the wake of Storm Dennis.
Mr Jones said: “The Prime Minister talks the talk on the union, but will he today make a cast iron guarantee to provide new funding for Welsh communities to recover from the floods?”
In response, the PM said the UK Government “is committed to working flat out with the Welsh devolved administration to ensure everybody gets the flood relief that they need”.
He also said that funds “will certainly be passported through”.
Flooding is devolved to Welsh Government, which has pledged £500 to all affected households, and a further £500 on top for uninsured households.
Caerphilly County Borough Council has also pledged £500 to affected residents, while businesses will receive £1,000.
Following the exchange in parliament, Mr Jones said: “In these difficult days, we have seen the best of humanity with people helping each other.
“Despite years of austerity, our local authorities have been at the forefront of delivering support and the Welsh Government has announced a £10m emergency response fund. However, the UK Government must step up and deliver much needed additional funding to support Welsh communities.
Mr Jones added: “I am pleased that the prime minister has signalled that funding would be passported through to Wales.
“I will continue to work closely with our local authorities and my colleague Dawn Bowden AM to make the case for the funding.”
Meanwhile, Caerphilly MP Wayne David spoke in parliament about floods during a debate on Welsh affairs.
During his speech, Mr David paid tribute to the community efforts to help residents affected by the flooding, as well as council workers.
He said: “We have seen amazing collective action by local people. They have demonstrated what community is all about. We must all now work together to make sure that, with the likelihood of harsher weather in the future, measures are put in place to minimise the danger of future flooding.”
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First Minister Mark Drakeford has also called on the UK Government to act.
Mr Drakeford said: “The Welsh Government has set up a £10 million emergency fund to help with the immediate aftermath of the floods, but the cost of infrastructure damage and the investment needed to address the climate emergency go far beyond this.
“The UK Government also has a role in responding to these floods and a responsibility to the people of Wales. After a week of silence in the face of this emergency, we urgently need to hear what longer-term support communities can expect from the UK Government.”
Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru has called on Welsh Government to launch a “full independent inquiry” into the flooding, which caused widespread damage and disruption across south Wales and parts of England.
Plaid leader Adam Price also warned the first minister to “be on standby for more flooding”.