Labour Government net £525m from taxpayers in wake of floods

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Apr 2008

Paul is protesting against the Labour Government profiting from the floods

Paul Scriven, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Sheffield Central, is protesting after it was revealed the Government made over half a billion pounds from the floods that devastated Sheffield and other parts of the UK. This week the 'Taxpayers Alliance' revealed that the Treasury made an extra £525m from taxpayers through VAT for work carried out to rebuild property damaged by the flooding in the summer.

At the same time the Government only put forward £86 million into a fund to help repair damage across the UK. Cllr Paul Scriven, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group in Sheffield, said:

"Local people will be shocked to learn that the Labour Government profited from the floods to the tune of more than half a billion pounds. Given the relatively small relief fund offered, local people have every right to feel ripped off."

"Hundreds of people in Sheffield suffered due to the devastating floods. For the Labour Government to profit from this misery is unacceptable. But for the Government to then refuse to fully fund essential repairs and leave local taxpayers with a huge bill is a double whammy."

"With the local elections just round the corner local people have the opportunity to tell Labour just what they think of this through the ballot box."