Boris Johnson has admitted he could have done more to help flood victims in the North and Midlands as he announced a new package of support.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty, the prime minister did not apologise but said he sympathised with those dealing with the “disaster of flooding” and accepted “you can never do enough”.
Johnson also unveiled his government would offer full council tax relief and business rates relief for those who own homes and businesses affected.
It comes after the PM has faced criticism over his response to the flooding in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, with many on the ground saying he delayed a visit and offered little support.
When asked by Munchetty whether he had done enough to support victims, he said: “Obviously I’ve been twice to the affected areas, once to Derbyshire and once to South Yorkshire, and seen for myself what’s going on.
“We’re today announcing more support for affected homes, full council tax relief for affected businesses, business rate relief, there’s a huge amount of work that has been going on round the clock.
“You can never do enough for somebody who has suffered a disaster like flooding and you only have to go there and to see them and talk to them to understand the depth and the huge psychological impact it has.”
Munchetty then asked Johnson how he personally felt when a resident of an affected area told him his visit was not wanted.
“I understand how they feel,” he said.
“Of course there’s always more you can do and you can never do enough. I did go the first night and I have been twice but we are covering people’s council tax, their business rates, we will make sure that the insurers don’t weasel out of their obligations towards flood victims and we will be bringing forward further packages of compensation.
“A huge amount of work is going on. At the moment things are looking a bit better but that is no consolation to those who have suffered.”
The PM was also asked about new statistics released on Thursday, which showed that A&E departments in the NHS in England recorded the worst waiting times since records began.
Munchetty also underlined to the PM data which showed targets for cancer services and routine care waiting times had not been met for several years.
Johnson said: “That is why we are now investing the record ever amount.
“The NHS is facing massive demand and it’s an incredibly successful organisation and we are putting the money in.
“We want to spend it and we are spending it on recruiting thousands more nurses, thousands more GPs, and that will enable us to meet the demand of the NHS, but you can only do that if you have a dynamic, robust economy.
“I know you don’t want me to mention any other political party but the debts that Labour would rack up with their economic policies would make it impossible to make the long-term investments in our public services.”