Some Lincolnshire flood victims miss out on recovery funding

The Government says the fund could now be expanded

Flooding
Author: Andy MarshPublished 11th Apr 2024

The Government says they ARE looking at expanding the Farming recovery fund to help landowners across Lincolnshire affected by flooding

The grant scheme has opened to Farmers who suffered 'uninsurable damage'

Henry Ward is a farmer at Short Ferry - his land suffered major flooding but he's been told he's NOT eligible for the fund.

It's the principle of it

He told us: "If I'm not eligible for 25 thousand pounds I would like to meet the farmer who is."

"Because quite frankly who has been worse off than us."

"It's makes me feel sick."

"25 thousand is peanuts in the grand scheme of what I've lost - I thought well I'm getting that."

"It's the principle of it - they've had three months to design this scheme."

"It was announced in January - it's taken while now to come out with it."

"A maximum grant of 25 thousand pounds which I thought was just a given."

I just don't understand

"We got it in 2019 when we flooded - infact we got 30 thousand."

"This year not eligible - what's changed?"

"I just don't understand"

We contacted DEFRA for a response.

They said:

“The Farming Recovery Fund has been opened to support farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage to their land this winter.

“We have activated the initial phase of the scheme to ensure grants begin to reach farmers as quickly as possible, and are now looking at how we can expand the scheme to further areas and improve the support for those worst affected.”

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