Government Refuse Tornado Help

12.00.00pm GMT Thu 10th May 2007

Sarah appealed to the Government to help the tornado victims

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather has expressed her disappointment that the Government will not help Brent residents whose homes were ruined by the tornado last December.

Both Brent Council and local MP Sarah appealed to the Government for financial assistance with the clean up operation.

But, despite accepting that the tornado is the short of incident that would normally qualify for help, the Government say they will not aid Brent unless the council has incurred costs higher than three quarters of a million pounds.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"The Government's decision to wash their hands of the disaster last December is a big disappointment. No one could have predicted the freak weather conditions we experienced in Brent last December.

"The aid threshold is unacceptably high and makes it impossible for Brent Council to apply for emergency relief funds. The Government is allowing the burden to fall on the council tax payer instead.

"There is no point in the Government maintaining an emergency relief fund if it cannot be used in an emergency. If the funds are sitting there and badly needed why will the Government not release money to help my constituents?"