Lloyds sets out help available to flood hit homes and businesses

Lloyds Banking Group has set out a series of commitments for flood hit businesses and homeowners.

The measures include a dedicated flood helpline - and have been put in place to help relieve the financial pressures affecting local firms and families and to ease the process of recovery, as the clear up begins, following the unprecedented weather conditions of recent days.

Simon Taylor, Regional Director, North of England, Lloyds Banking Group, said: "These floods have dealt a catastrophic blow to the local community, with hundreds of business owners and families left counting the cost of the damage inflicted upon their properties and livelihoods.

"But once the flood waters recede, the clean up operation will begin - and we want to make sure that we are doing everything possible to help those affected get back on their feet."

The full range of commitments will help customers who are insured with the Group, as well as well as its business or personal customers, across Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB.

For insurance customers

Where customers can no longer live in their home, we can make emergency payments and help secure temporary accommodation.

We will appoint one of our dedicated Personal Claims Consultants to visit customers' homes, and help them through the process of clearing up.

We can provide customers with access to one of our preferred builders or restoration experts to help with repairs; and offer advice on how to minimise damage to their homes.

For business customers

Our relationship managers are contacting customers we believe to be directly affected to offer support and see how we can help.

We will meet all reasonable requests for finance to aid immediate cash flow needs, including extensions to overdrafts and help to cover business loan repayments.

We are working with customers to help them with practical arrangements, such as payment of wages or suppliers, which may have been disrupted by the floods.

For all affected customers

We may be able to defer repayments for three months (interest will continue to be applied).

Customers with overdraft facilities or credit cards will be able to ask for an emergency limit increase.

For customers whose holiday plans have been affected we'll refund travel money orders and also buy back uncollected travel money without any charge.

A dedicated national helpline has also been set up by the group to help customers with any queries about the floods. Customers can call the helpline 24 hours a day on 0800 028 7392.   Lloyds TSB Insurance customers should call 0845 606 6004.

We are sending texts to customers who may be affected, wherever possible, to let them know about the support we can provide. Customers can also get further information from their nearest branch.