Funding for Flood Victims

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 3:15 pm on 10 February 2021.

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Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 3:15, 10 February 2021

Can I thank you for the answer, Minister, and can I also thank the Welsh Government for the support they're giving to flood victims in Skewen who have been flooded out because of water coming out of a mine, an old mine workings? The Coal Authority have clearly stated that they are not liable for water damage coming from their mine workings. This was reinforced yesterday in the House of Commons, when the Minister answered my colleague Stephen Kinnock's question on this matter. Now, if the Coal Authority are not taking responsibility, and the UK Government, whose record on this is poor when you consider what's happened in Pontypridd—is it now time for you to press the UK Government for funding from them so we can help these people? Because many citizens in that area haven't got good insurance, and those who have are going to lose money because they have to pay their excess, and there are additional costs on top of that, and they're out of home for long periods of time and that's not being covered. We need to help these people, and it's clear the UK Government is not going to. So, can you therefore press the Treasury for enhanced funding so we can help people in these situations to ensure they are not out of pocket, that they're not in difficulties and we are able to help as soon as possible?