The damage done to firms was a nationwide issue, he said

Mr Hutton spoke as he toured shops in Sheffield and watched the clean-up operation on Tuesday.

He said the government was "absolutely determined" to do everything it could to help businesses in Sheffield, Rotherham, Hull and elsewhere.

He said damage done to firms in the floods was a nationwide issue.

More funds

Speaking at the Sheffield Forgemasters steep plant, the secretary of state said the firm was a "hugely important business, not just locally but for the country".

He said: "This is an issue facing UK manufacturing and we've got to see it in that way. This is not just a local problem. It's an issue affecting businesses all over the UK."

He welcomed an announcement by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward that it would double to �2m the amount of money for immediate cash flow help available to small and medium-sized businesses.

Asked if the �2m was enough, he said: "If it's not enough then we're prepared to provide more.

"But we need to see how we go."

He added: "We are absolutely determined to make sure businesses in Sheffield can move forward."

One Wicker businessman, Navid Kanwal, told Mr Hutton how he had just completed a �250,000 refurbishment of his restaurant when the waters came.

He said: "We're still clearing out and we're going to be closed for some time.