The Department for Communities and Local Government has written to local authorities seeking assurance that councils are prepared for any future flooding.

The Department has also notified councils that the government has activated the Bellwin scheme which enables councils to get financial assistance depending on local circumstances.

Communities Minister Kris Hopkins said:

“Councils have a vital role, along with emergency services in responding to households and businesses which have been disrupted by the floods that have affected parts of the country.

“We want to ensure all possible action is taken to help affected households get the support they need. This includes councils having local emergency plans in place and being ready to provide an immediate response to anyone affected by adverse weather or any other emergencies during the upcoming holiday period.

“We have written to councils to see what practical support they need and the government is continuing to monitor the situation carefully.”

Under the Bellwin scheme Councils, police, fire and national park authorities are eligible for certain clearing up costs when they have spent more than 0.2% of their calculated annual revenue budget on works that have been reported to the department as eligible for grant.

The Bellwin scheme compensates councils retrospectively for the exceptional costs incurred.

Ministers have said that they would “look sympathetically” on councils where they have costs as a result of the floods, and that they would reimburse councils eligible clearing-up expenditure under the Bellwin scheme.

Throughout the Christmas period Environment Agency teams have been on duty to operate pumping stations, issue flood warnings and check that flood banks, walls and barriers are working effectively.

To date, there have been 1,200 properties flooded in England - however, the Environment Agency said its flood defences have protected more than 83,000 properties from flooding.

David Jordan, Director of Operations at the Environment Agency, said that with more wet weather expected this week the Agency is monitoring rivers, with teams out on the ground working around the clock to protect communities from flooding.

Environmental NGO Friends of the Earth has reiterated its call for the Government to rethink plans which will see hundreds of jobs cut from the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency's budget is being cut by 15% over the next year. According to an internal memo reported on by ENDS in November 2013, as a result of the budget cuts 557 staff working on flooding are earmarked to be sacked.