As businesses across Britain count the cost of four days of disorder, Labour have called on the Government to help those affected by the arson and looting. The clean up operation could cost up to £100m.
Speaking this morning, Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "The priority now is to have that public order restored but also, I'm calling today for the Government to start moving on some of the issues around the insurance issues and the issues of people who have been badly affected by what happened.
"Two things need to happen. First of all, fast track insurance as we saw in the floods in 2007, so that the insurance companies get the payouts quickly so people can start to rebuild. Also, money provided to those local authorities where people have been affected. For small businesses - often very vulnerable businesses - they need that reassurance that the rebuilding can start", he told the BBC.
The Association of British Insurers have predicted the riots will cost tens of millions, saying in a statement on Wednesday.
"It is too early for us to have an accurate picture of total costs, especially business interruption costs, but insurers are working hard to deal with claims coming in which will give a sense of the level and cost of damage."
Businesses across London unaffected by direct rioting have also closed early, and employers have sent workers home early to ensure they stay safe.
Under the public order act and the riot damages act, businesses without insurance are entitled could be entitled claim if they act swiftly - but only if insurance companies accept that the disorder across Britain was a riot.