Brown promises flood aid programme

The Prime Minister promised that a comprehensive programme of aid would be put in place to address both the short-term and long-term problems caused by the flooding.

Thousands have become "environmental refugees" because of the catastrophic weather and there have been claims victims have been forgotten as they struggle to rebuild their lives.

But Mr Brown, who is due to visit flood-hit areas this weekend, said individuals and local authorities would be helped to get things back in working order as soon as possible.

He said: "The first thing is to deal with the floods themselves, getting people into their own homes, getting schools back working."

He told GMTV: "This is obviously a huge number of people who have been affected. I really feel sorry for individuals, some of whom are still staying in temporary accommodation. We will do all we can."

Mr Brown added: "We will do more, I feel very sympathetic towards the families and old people forced out of their homes. We have got help we can give them."

He later told BBC Breakfast: "There will be a comprehensive programme to deal with not just the immediate problem where people are homeless, where people are in centres, where people have been displaced, but also to deal with the recovery programmes."

His official spokesman said the Government was looking at expanding the Bellwin scheme to help meet the non-insurable clear-up costs. This could include setting up temporary offices, hiring extra vehicles, initial highway repairs, cleaning drainage systems and the provision of emergency food aid.

Giving further help to individuals most at risk through crisis loans, community grants and local authority support was also being considered, the spokesman said.