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Ed Miliband in Somerset today to discuss flood insurance

The Labour Leader, Ed Miliband, is visiting Somerset flood victims today to discuss insurance claims. His visit coincides with a Downing Street summit on the issue.

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Council tax suspended for Somerset flood victims

Somerset County Council suspends council tax Credit: ITV News West Country

Somerset County Council today announced that people whose homes are flooded or cut off because of the floods will not have to pay the County Council part of their council tax until they are back in their homes.

Leader of the Council, Cllr John Osman, said: “We recognise that local people affected by the flooding are struggling and under tremendous strain.

“We want to remove one of their financial worries by suspending their council tax charge while they are stranded or unable to live in their home.

“There are some people who are being asked to pay council tax both on their home that they have had to leave under traumatic circumstances, and also where they are now in emergency accommodation. That can’t be right and we are reacting quickly to reassure people.

“We are in talks with our District Council colleagues to see if they are able to follow our lead and also suspend their part of council tax for flood victims.”

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