Floods Recovery Minister John Healey today welcomed the swift action by One NorthEast to support businesses in the region hit by the weekend's floods.
Mr Healey has asked the Government Office in the North East to work with Business Link North East to ensure all flood-hit businesses in the region are aware of the support available to them as they work to recover.
He also encouraged One NorthEast to consider the longer-term regeneration and economic development opportunities as part of their work with the flood-hit region over the coming weeks.
One NorthEast is already:
* Assessing the type of businesses impacted by the floods and the extent of damage, to see what support can be given
* Working closely with local authorities and Business Link in the area, to draw up a package of support
* Urging businesses needing help following the floods to contact Business Link
One NorthEast is also in contact with Yorkshire Forward to learn the lessons from last year's floods - last year Yorkshire Forward helped more than 1,500 small and medium sized businesses, and 70 larger companies to recover.
In a letter to One NorthEast chief executive Alan Clarke, John Healey said:
"I welcome your offer of support and the contact made with businesses in the affected areas in Northumberland.
"The floods of last summer and the subsequent recovery effort have shown that RDAs have a key role to play in supporting communities and businesses.
"Businesses particularly welcomed the speed with which support was set up. However, there were lessons to be learned about ensuring that all affected businesses are aware of the help available and that support is easily understood and accessible.
"So I welcome your initiative in contacting Yorkshire Forward to draw on their experiences over the past 12 months."
He added:
"Although speed of immediate support available is essential, Sir Michael Pitt was also keen to ensure that longer-term regeneration and economic development opportunities are considered by Recovery Groups from the outset.
"I would encourage you to bear in mind the potential for such opportunities over the coming weeks."
Chris Pywell, One NorthEast's Head of Strategic Economic Change, said:
"The response to the floods is very much a partnership approach and it is Castle Morpeth Borough Council, Northumberland County Council and Business Link North East who are out on the ground with us, helping affected businesses.
"We are playing a co-ordinating role and are working with Business Link and our other partners to ensure support is delivered swiftly to those businesses who need it at a time of great hardship.
"Our work also encompasses support for businesses hit by the floods in other areas of the North East.
"In the longer term, we will work with partners to look at the development of Morpeth, to identify opportunities to assist business growth in the town"
