Why refuse EU floods cash?

The European Union Solidarity Fund was set up in 2002 specifically to help member states struggling with catastrophic events. 23 countries have applied successfully for these funds, which are approved by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

What possible motive is there for not taking advantage of funding available for cleaning up disaster-stricken areas, restoring energy and water supplies, and protecting our cultural heritage?

It is yet another example of the Conservatives choosing not to take advantage of our EU membership in order to then complain that the UK does not benefit from EU membership, and coincides with Conservative MEPs’ attempts to block moves to scrap roaming charges for EU citizens using their mobile phones across Europe.

Most people have suffered from the extra phone charges slapped on us when on holiday. What possible motive could there be for blocking roaming charges legislation intended to save UK citizens, and citizens across the rest of Europe, hundreds of pounds?

I hope people will recognise that Tories are putting big business profits and their anti-EU obsessions ahead of UK citizens.

Christian Vassie, Blake Court, Wheldrake, York.

• I refer to the article “Dredge the River Ouse to prevent flooding” – The Press, February 11. At the present time there is a lot of flood prevention work being done in the Leeman Road area which I am sure is necessary and welcome, but this will only solve the problem in that area. Presumably this will increase the problem further downstream such as King’s Staith, Tower Street, South Esplanade and even further afield at Naburn and Selby.

How many times do we see national and local authorities not solving problems but just moving them elsewhere, such as the traffic restrictions brought in by York council, such as closing streets and bridges which just increase congestion in other areas.

It would seem that the policy is “not in my backyard”.

AP Cox, Heath Close, Holgate, York.