Floods '˜adding to drag on Yorkshire business confidence'

Research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) suggests small firms in Yorkshire finished 2015 with less confidence in the economy than they did 12 months earlier.

The research, carried out before the Boxing Day floods, showed businesses in the South were already more optimistic about the economy than their northern counterparts.

And the FSB warned the floods which hit Yorkshire and impacted on hundreds of firms, were likely to have a further detrimental impact.

John Allan, the FSB’s national chairman, said: “The recent flooding is likely to further weigh on business confidence in the North where small firms are now beginning to pick up the pieces as the waters recede.”

He added: “Flooding assistance should be easy to access with a promise of affordable flood insurance for small businesses.”

The latest floods have prompted fresh calls for the Flood Re scheme agreed between the Government and the insurance industry to ensure that high risk properties can continue to be covered by flooding.

The scheme currently only covers domestic properties but business owners argue they are finding it harder to access insurance at affordable prices.

The Government is giving councils £2,500 to help each business affected by this winter’s floods.

Anna Soubry, Minister for Small Business, said: “The UK’s small businesses remain confident, continue to create jobs and increase productivity, benefiting from our strong, growing economy.

“But it was a tough end to the year for many communities across the north of England and Scotland as they suffered from unprecedented flooding.

More than three weeks after the devastating floods, homes, businesses and councils are continuing to count the cost and draw up recovery plans.

The Government yesterday announced it would provide £5 million towards the cost of repairing the grade II listed Elland Bridge which has been closed since the floods because of structural damage.

A further £500,000 will be provided to pay for a temporary footbridge while the repairs are completed.

However, Calderdale Council has estimated the total cost of damage to infrastructure in the district at more than £20 million.

Council leader Tim Swift said: “The Boxing Day floods have had a devastating impact on homes and businesses across Calderdale. I welcome this announcement as it allows us to replace the damaged bridge at Elland given its strategic importance to the local community, for local businesses and for tourism.

“We are continuing discussions with government about further assistance they can provide to enable Calderdale to recover following this event.”