Scottish government given £4m for flood-hit communities

About 600 people were evacuated from their homes in Hawick as the River Teviot burst its banks

The Scottish government will be given almost £4m to help households and businesses affected by last weekend's flooding, it has been announced.

It is part of a £50m UK-wide fund announced by Chancellor George Osborne.

Communities in the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Tayside and Moray were among those hit by Storm Desmond.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said Scotland would receive £3.94m, under the terms of the Barnett formula.

He added: "The chancellor is absolutely right to provide financial help to those affected by the terrible flooding in England.

"In the UK we share risks and resources in a way that means Scotland will now also receive extra money from the Treasury.

"People in Scotland who had their homes flooded in the past week will expect the Scottish government to use this new money to help them in the same way the UK government is helping those south of the border.

"I hope the Scottish government will confirm that this is what they plan to do."

Emergency workers are among those who have been praised for their work during the floods in the Borders

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "Ministers have triggered the Bellwin Scheme which offers emergency financial assistance to councils, and it is up to individual councils to make a claim.

"The Scottish government has recently legislated to give councils the power to reduce and remit rates bills, which councils could use to target support to the businesses in their areas affected by the floods.

"We will consider what further action might be necessary and the deputy first minister will publish spending plans on 16 December."

She added: "Hundreds of homes across Scotland have already benefited from stronger flooding protection through the annual provision the Scottish government has made available of £42m for investment for flooding in the local authority finance settlement."

A stretch of the A81 at Gartmore was completely submerged by flood waters on Sunday

About 600 people were evacuated from their homes in Hawick as the River Teviot burst its banks on Saturday.

Peebles, Selkirk, Coldstream, Jedburgh and Kelso were also affected.

The Met Office said that about 100mm of rain fell in the area throughout Friday and Saturday.

In Dumfries, businesses were flooded when the River Nith flowed on to the Whitesands.

The effects of the storm were also felt in Newcastleton, Langholm, and in Annandale and Eskdale.

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Bridge of Allan and Aberfoyle were also badly affected by rising water levels.

Firefighters rescued 22 adults, three children and seven dogs from holiday chalets in Aviemore.

Scottish environment minister Aileen McLeod visited Hawick on Tuesday to see the extent of the damage caused by the weekend's floods.

Hawick Royal Albert Football Club was under water at the weekend

The environment minister saw the extent of the damage in Hawick first hand