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Cameron pledges council tax exemption for flood victims Cameron pledges council tax exemption for flood victims
(35 minutes later)
Flood victims will be exempt from council tax, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.Flood victims will be exempt from council tax, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
Anyone forced to leave their home because of the floods will not have to pay, Downing Street has confirmed.Anyone forced to leave their home because of the floods will not have to pay, Downing Street has confirmed.
The government has set aside £4m to fund local authorities to cover the cost of unpaid council taxes.The government has set aside £4m to fund local authorities to cover the cost of unpaid council taxes.
About 6,500 homes have been flooded since December and the prime minister has said "money is no object" to support the clean-up operation.About 6,500 homes have been flooded since December and the prime minister has said "money is no object" to support the clean-up operation.
Some local authorities have announced plans to exempt residents forced out of their homes from part or all of their council tax bill. Meanwhile, Network Rail has announced that the line at Dawlish in Devon, damaged by recent storms, is unlikely to be completely repaired until mid-April.
Following the recent floods in several parts of the UK, some local authorities have announced plans to exempt residents forced out of their homes from part or all of their council tax bill.
Mr Cameron said those that helped people in this way would be compensated.Mr Cameron said those that helped people in this way would be compensated.
He wrote on Twitter: "I can confirm we will fund councils that give council tax rebates to people whose homes have been flooded."He wrote on Twitter: "I can confirm we will fund councils that give council tax rebates to people whose homes have been flooded."
'Vast national effort''Vast national effort'
The prime minister, who is visiting flood-hit communities across the UK, has said every resource will be made available to protect people and homes still at risk and support the relief effort. The prime minister, who is visiting flood-hit communities, has said every resource will be made available to protect people and homes still at risk and support the relief effort.
Speaking on a visit to Pembrokeshire, he promised a "vast national effort helped and coordinated by the British government" to help those affected. Speaking on a visit to Pembrokeshire, he promised a "vast national effort helped and co-ordinated by the British government" to help those affected.
"That's why we bring together all the local authorities, the emergency services, the volunteers. That's why funding has been made available in terms of supporting local authorities.""That's why we bring together all the local authorities, the emergency services, the volunteers. That's why funding has been made available in terms of supporting local authorities."
Labour said that people who have been forced to leave their homes and would need to have them repaired should not be expected to pay council tax. Labour said the government had been slow to respond and the details of the assistance scheme should be published as soon as possible.
It said that a change in the regulations in 2012, which meant those whose homes are empty for six months or undergoing repairs for a year are no longer eligible for council tax exemptions, should be reversed. It said that a change in the regulations in 2012, which meant those whose homes are empty for six months or undergoing repairs for a year are no longer automatically eligible for council tax exemptions, should be reversed.
"The government needs to reassure residents that they will work with local authorities to ensure flood victims are not paying council taxes on properties needing substantial repairs," said shadow environment secretary Hilary Benn. "The government needs to reassure residents that they will work with local authorities to ensure flood victims are not paying council taxes on properties needing substantial repairs," said shadow communities secretary Hilary Benn.
Ministers have already pledged extra funding for councils for flood repairs under the terms of the Bellwin scheme, which provides emergency financial assistance to local authorities.Ministers have already pledged extra funding for councils for flood repairs under the terms of the Bellwin scheme, which provides emergency financial assistance to local authorities.
Have you been affected by the recent floods? Do you have any questions about flooding insurance? We will be putting some of your questions to an expert. Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Floods'. At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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