Labour has accused ministers of a ‘total shambles’ over their attempts to secure European Union (EU) money to help communities after the winter floods.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has been criticised for delays, for potentially handing in its application too late to help flood-damaged communities, for not knowing exactly how much cash they are applying for and for not stating exactly where the money would go, leaving some concerned the cash could simply be used to repay central government.