David Cameron has vowed that “money is no object” in the relief effort help flooded communities to recover from the devastation of recent weeks.
The prime minister announced that he was cancelling a planned trip next week to the Middle East in order to take personal charge of the ongoing relief operation.
With 16 severe flood warnings, 133 flood warnings and 225 flood alerts still in force, he told a Downing Street news conference that the situation could deteriorate further.
“There is absolutely no sign of this threat abating, and with further rain and strong winds forecast throughout the week, things may get worse before they get better,” he said.
His warning came as the Environment Agency (EA) said rises in the level of the River Thames were set to cause more disruption for flood-hit areas.
Around 1,000 properties have been reported as flooded in the past week, including 800 along the Thames.
EA senior flood adviser Kate Marks warned it was “increasingly likely” that there would also be problems along the River Severn and River Wye.
Mr Cameron said every effort would be made to help those affected to get back on their feet.
“Money is no object in this relief effort. Whatever money is needed for it will be spent,” he said.
Mr Cameron said: “It is clear that the military can play a further role.
“By the end of the day we will have deployed 1,600 servicemen and women and there are thousands more now available.
“I have asked Major General Patrick Sanders to co-ordinate the military effort.
“They will be working with our gold and silver commanders to provide assistance and assurance to members of the public including by reinforcing sandbags and flood defences, getting medical assistance to the sick and inform and checking on a helping any other vulnerable people.
“I urge everyone in those affected areas to keep listening to the warnings and to work with the emergency services, the military and who is working to keep people safe.”
The prime minister is setting up a new Cabinet committee to oversee the recovery, which he will chair tomorrow.
He said a tax deferral scheme would help businesses hit by flooding while up to £10million in new funding is being found to support farmers. Grants for homeowners and businesses will be available to improve flood defences.
Mr Cameron said: “We’ll be focusing on getting the insurance companies out there so people can make their claims quickly and the Association of British Insurers, together with the CBI and other business organisations, are meeting here in Downing Street as I speak to help us develop further measures to help businesses in affected areas.
“In the days ahead we’ll be announcing a number of new schemes to help.”