A SENEDD member has challenged the Welsh Government on their Business Flood Relief Fund, following the devastating flooding in Monmouth caused by Storm Claudia last month.

The Welsh Government has activated the Business Flood Relief Fund to support businesses directly affected by the storm.

But Monmouth Conservative MS Peter Fox has written to the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning to point out that whilst the funding is welcome, several businesses that he has spoken to feel disadvantaged they are unable to utilise the finding because they were insured.

The Monmouth MS said that many businesses are facing insurance excess payments of over £10,000 and due to the terms of the fund, cannot use any of the grand to offset excess payments.

Mr Fox has argued that allowing this would still align with the purpose of the fund but would also stop the perception that businesses are effectively being published for doing the right thing and having insurance in place.

Peter has asked the Cabinet Secretary if a revision to the fund could be made.

Local MS for Monmouth, Peter Fox, said: “Whilst the funding from Welsh Government is welcome and have been well-received overall, the terms of the scheme are certainly leaving some at a disadvantage.

“Some businesses are facing huge insurance excess costs, and whilst £3,000 would not cover them fully, it would be something they could use towards it.

“By not allowing businesses to use excess costs as an eligible cost, I think its setting a concerning perception that businesses who are fully insured are likely to be punished when it comes to funding access, just for doing the responsible thing.

“I have written to the Welsh Government to put forward a case to have this revised, and I hope they will take the comments from myself and local businesses on board.”