Businesses and communities across flood affected areas will not have to face council tax and business rate bills following government relief.

In addition to the £50 million in relief announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, businesses will not have to pay business rates while their premises deal with the effects of the flood.

Communities secretary, Greg Clark, has announced that relief from business rates will form a small part of help for business that have been affected by flooding in Cumbria and Lancashire.

The MP, expressed his desire to support those that have been affected by Storm Desmond in whatever ways possible.

Mr Clark said: “We’re determined to stand squarely behind the communities and families whose lives have been turned upside down in the wake of storm Desmond.

“Residents and businesses who have been displaced by flooding should not have to worry about Council Tax and business rate bills on top of everything else they will be facing at this difficult time.

“That’s why we’ll make funding available to help householders and businesses with their Council Tax and business rates bills for as long as they are out of their properties.”

All premises are exempt from council tax and business rate charges for 3 months if they are empty, while industrial premises will receive up to 6 months if they become empty and if flooding has affected the whole premises and preventing any trade from the site.

Consideration will be given if appropriate to extend these periods via means of a local scheme which will need to be approved.

Councils are collecting details from businesses to gather the appropriate information but have advised anyone to get in touch with the council if they have been affected.

Cumbria Business Growth Hub is also conducting a survey to establish as complete picture as possible about the extent of impact so that the appropriate support can be put in place.

South Lakeland District Council’s assistant director for strategic development, Ian Hassall, is encouraging all local businesses to take part, so that evidence of the overall impact can be gathered to inform any applications to central government for financial assistance.

Mr Hassall said: “Please complete the form even if you don’t currently need any support for your business as the Growth Hub need to collect as much supporting evidence as possible.

“The information you give will be very valuable in building up an accurate picture of how the business community has been affected.’’

The survey is online here and will be live for at least the next month.

Cumbria Tourism is conducting a similar survey concentrating on tourism-related businesses, and anyone that has already filled out the Cumbria Tourism survey does not need to also complete the Growth Hub questionnaire.