The Government is facing calls to introduce grant schemes for farmers and landowners who suffered significant financial losses following a massive wildfire near Whitby last year.
Rural communities and farmers are still facing significant financial losses over a year after a devastating blaze tore through the North York Moors.
The fire at Langdale Moor, situated in the North York Moors National Park near RAF Fylingdales, broke out in August last year and quickly escalated to cover nearly twenty-five square kilometres.
Financial ruin now threatens those whose land was destroyed in what became the largest wildfire in North Yorkshire’s history.
Politicians from across the political spectrum have accused the Government of abandoning the rural community by failing to provide compensation to local businesses, farmers, and landowners heavily affected by the disaster.
During a session in Parliament, the Member of Parliament for Scarborough and Whitby welcomed decisive action taken over the summer to tackle wildfires, which included a temporary ban on disposable barbecues.
However, she pressed the Government for further financial assistance to match the scale of the destruction and support those who helped battle the flames.
Alison Hume said:
"Last year a huge wildfire caused massive damage to the North York moors near Whitby. The farming community played a vital role in supporting firefighters, but they are still out of pocket over a year later, having suffered significant losses.
Will my right honourable friend look at introducing grant schemes to help those affected by wildfires, similar to the ones available for major flooding events."
A funding package worth three point two million pounds was granted by the Government to the North York Moors National Park Authority in June.
This money is earmarked for environmental recovery work, including the restoration of peatland species and crucial repairs to public footpaths across the affected terrain.
While the restoration support was welcomed by local representatives, politicians argue there is a glaring hole in the Government’s announcement regarding direct help for individuals.
Conservative Party Chairman and Member of Parliament for Thirsk and Malton Kevin Hollinrake previously said:
"Not a penny is going to the farmers, landowners and businesses who watched their livelihoods burn and who worked alongside our fire and rescue services for six weeks to save the moor.
Had this been a flood, the Farming Recovery Fund and the Flood Recovery Framework would have been triggered within days. Because it was a wildfire, the people who suffered the losses are being left with nothing."
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government responded to the concerns raised in the House of Commons.
Angela Rayner, who returned to Government in July after Andy Burnham became prime minister, stated she was really sorry to hear about the situation in the North York Moors and the circumstances surrounding the funding package.
She confirmed the Government is working closely with fire and rescue services to ensure support is targeted at those facing the greatest operational pressures.
Angela Rayner said:
"The Prime Minister is aware of the situation in the North Yorkshire Moors and the circumstances around the funding package. We're working closely with Fire and Rescue services to ensure the support is targeted at those facing the greatest operational pressures and will set out further details in due course, Madam Deputy Speaker, on the current focus. At the moment, it's about making sure that the support reaches the areas that need it most urgently, but I'll certainly take, take back what she said, and, uh, as I said, the Prime Minister is looking at the summit, uh, wildfire summit that comes up this autumn, so hopefully we can make progress."
Government officials maintain their current focus is about ensuring that support reaches the areas that need it most urgently, with hopes pinned on the upcoming autumn wildfire summit for further progress.
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