Rural Communities 2026-01-07

The cost of living crisis is impacting rural communities due to rising food prices, unemployment, taxes, business rates hikes, and national insurance increases. These issues are closing shops, pubs, and businesses in market towns, leading to job losses and undermining livelihoods.

The Government's priorities show a lack of understanding for the challenges facing rural communities, such as business rate hikes that are closing pubs daily. The Conservative party has plans to scrap business rates entirely for high-street businesses and pubs.

Cutting business rates would help young people get Saturday jobs, reducing the need for welfare. The Labour party's policies are harming rural youth employment opportunities.

The debate highlights the issues of rising costs for businesses and the impact on market towns, contributing to closures and job losses in constituencies across the country. The Labour government's policies are harming rural communities.

Labour's plans for energy infrastructure will damage prime agricultural land and homes, compromising food security and economic resilience in Lincolnshire.

The Government’s arrogance and contempt over the family farm and family business tax fiasco was shameful, raising only enough money to pay for an afternoon in the NHS while condemning families on the slimmest margins to selling their farms. Labour MPs have a chance tonight to axe this vindictive tax completely.

Welcomes support provided by the Government for rural people, businesses and communities; commends continued support for farmers through investment in Environmental Land Management schemes which will boost nature and sustainable food production; recognises that changes were made to support family farms.

Questions the Minister's stance on rural transport, suggesting enhanced partnerships between Conservative county councils and private sector have increased bus usage in Norfolk and Essex more than anywhere else in the country.

Argues that enhanced partnerships with private sector have increased bus usage, questions the impact of banning trail hunting on rural SMEs and jobs.

The hon. Member discusses the impact of government cuts on enforcement activities, specifically mentioning fly-tipping in his constituency and the detrimental effects on rivers and wildlife.

The speaker questions the minister about rural crime funding and asks if resources will be maintained to enforce current laws effectively, citing a drop in rural crime after instituting a rural crime team in his constituency.

The hon. Member expresses concern about the local government finance settlement affecting rural areas and the potential for financial difficulties in her constituency due to increased social care demand and budget cuts.

Raises concerns regarding broadband access, particularly the delay from 2030 to 2032 targets which affects constituents' internet connectivity negatively.

Asks about extending voucher availability for areas lacking gigabit broadband, citing local efforts by Wessex Internet in several regions.

Requests a moment to discuss the Minister's mention of 'hysteria' regarding solar farms and their impact on agricultural land.

Questions the Labour police funding gap, citing potential reductions in police officers compared to pre-2010 levels under previous government policies.

No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.

No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.

Pays tribute to Special Constable Susan Holliday, a 40-year special constable who received the British Empire Medal in recent honours.

The Liberal Democrats emphasise the importance of rural communities, advocating for comprehensive support for farmers facing tax threats. They highlight issues such as inheritance taxes on family farms and the need to protect prime agricultural land from non-agricultural development. The speaker also criticises the Government’s trade deals with Australia and New Zealand as detrimental to British farming.

Supports Sarah Dyke's stance against the family farm tax but urges for a more focused campaign on preventing renewable energy projects from occupying prime agricultural land.

Questions the Liberal Democrats about funding their proposed policies to support farming communities, pointing out the lack of clarity in financial details and economic impact.

Supports Sarah Dyke's criticism of trade deals with Australia and New Zealand. He asks for a commitment from the Government to reject low-standard imported products like chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef.

Supports VAT reduction for the hospitality sector but notes that it would be illegal under EU rules.

Highlights the challenges faced by farmers including rural crime, low farm profitability, and workforce insecurity. Emphasises the need for adequate recording of rural crime by police forces and calls for a mandate to all police forces to address this issue.

Supports the speech made by Michelle Welsh, highlighting the importance of rural bus services and transport infrastructure in supporting rural communities.

Critiques the government's policies affecting small businesses, farming, and hospitality venues in North Yorkshire. Urges ministers to reset their relationship with rural communities and implement a cumulative impact test for future policies.

Criticises Conservative cuts to community services in Norfolk such as children's services and youth outdoor education facilities, highlighting the long-term negative impacts on rural communities.

The chuntering and laughter from the Conservatives belies their lack of agreement on public services in rural areas, as seen with poor hospital performance under previous Conservative Governments. The swing from Conservative to Labour was a repudiation of past failures.

Rural communities feel neglected by the current Government, facing higher costs for living and business rates. Gloucestershire county council faces significant funding cuts under fairer funding plans, which will lead to service reductions or increased council taxes. The family farm tax was a cruel policy, breaking up farms despite increased thresholds.

The motion seems to imply opposition to all renewables in rural areas, but even opponents of large-scale solar farms support rooftop installations. Can the Conservatives clarify their stance on all renewables? The hospitality industry is being taxed out of existence and country pursuits are threatened by proposals like banning trail hunting.

There has been significant change in rural representation, with South Norfolk having its first Labour MP since 1950. Healthcare investments have been made in local hospitals and health centres to improve residents' lives. Infrastructure upgrades like the A11 and A47 junctions are improving connectivity, while broadband contracts are being rolled out across villages.

It feels as though we're back to 1999 with a Labour Government at war with the countryside. Issues like hunting, pig industry changes, and impacts on rural economy and countryside are being discussed. There is concern about potential damage to our rural way of life.

The MP paid tribute to Labour Members who campaigned against family farm and business taxes, noting changes made before Christmas. He criticised the Government’s animal welfare strategy as potentially damaging for farming in the future. Emphasised the importance of working with industry on transitions to avoid impacting food security. Raised issues with shooting regulations and the sanitary and phytosanitary deal's impact on fishing and farming industries.

Welcomed changes in agricultural property relief thresholds, acknowledging the Labour Government’s response to farmer concerns. Highlighted issues with rural bus services affecting villages like Slitting Mill in his constituency. Advocated for extending public transport access and improving train station accessibility. Criticised Reform UK's cuts to concessionary fares and poor management of road repairs and bus services.

Asked Josh Newbury about the Labour Government’s announcements on the rural transport accelerator fund, emphasising its importance for restoring connections in rural villages. Agreed with measures to improve public transport in rural areas.

Supported Josh Newbury's comments about extending bus travel access to train stations and improving disabled access at Rugeley Trent Valley station. Criticised Reform UK for cuts to concessionary fares affecting rural residents.

Discussed the impact of cancelled bus services on rural communities, emphasising their importance for elderly people's independence and community interactions. Criticised Conservative council funding decisions that have led to cuts in vital public transport.

Discussed the impact of the Conservatives' policies on rural communities, highlighting issues such as NHS waiting lists and crumbling village schools. Criticised the Tories for broken promises related to immigration, farming, and healthcare.

The Conservative party has let down farmers with trade deals with New Zealand and Australia, causing food inflation to rise to 19.1%. Farmers in my constituency know that the Conservatives allowed unfair market practices from supermarkets which profited instead of the farmers.

Conservative Members who voted for family farm tax policies should be held accountable. The Labour party's new deal for farming has only one paragraph in their manifesto and a commitment to locally sourced food procurement which is yet to have a timeline.

The right hon. Member accused some of my colleagues falsely, but I will withdraw the comment for inadvertently calling him dishonourable.

More than 20% of Conservative Back Benchers did not turn up to vote on the family farm tax. The Government should be more transparent with their voting records and implementation timelines, especially for schemes like the sustainable farming incentive.

The Government is addressing issues such as roads, buses, rail fares, housing, NHS services, environmental stewardship, energy infrastructure for Cornwall, food security, and improving farm profitability through sustainable farming incentives.

Communities should have a greater voice in the cumulative effect of green energy projects. Communities must consent to undergrounding of cables for infrastructure projects.

Ms Morton supports her colleague's point, arguing that the Labour government does not understand or care about rural communities. She criticises the Government for suggesting a shift in economic focus while ignoring the practical challenges faced by people struggling to heat their homes.

Sir Alec emphasises the negative impact of solar farms on agricultural land and criticises China's dominance over renewable energy materials, questioning whether supporting Chinese renewable technology is any better than relying on petrochemical dictatorships.

Ms Gosling welcomes changes to inheritance tax but expresses concerns about cuts to bus and school transport services. She highlights the issues of rural crime, including stolen agricultural machinery and damage caused by local hunts, and calls for stricter action against hunting.

Mr Moon agrees with Ms Gosling's comments on rural crime, suggesting that the Conservative party is ignoring these issues in rural communities.

Ms Morrissey criticises the Labour Government for attacking the countryside through tax policies and proposed bans on traditional activities. She argues that the ban on trail hunting is ideologically driven and lacks consideration of animal welfare.

Mr Anderson supports Ms Morrissey's point about the impact of rate revaluation on village pubs in South Shropshire, highlighting that many pubs are collapsing under tax pressures.

Ms Gelderd argues for the protection of local environments and traditional industries while supporting new economic opportunities such as critical minerals through funds like the Kernow industrial growth fund.

Recognised that he did not fully understand rural experiences before the election. Acknowledged recent concessions made by the Government to farmers, crediting local activists for their role in this change. Raised concerns about hospitality sector's struggle following 2024 autumn Budget and suggested a Government Minister visit any of his 52 pubs to better understand these challenges. Called for financial alternatives to Labour’s taxes, such as undoing an awful lot by having a customs union with the EU.

Challenged the notion that all was rosy in rural areas before 2024. Highlighted HS2 project's neglect of landowners and farmers, resulting in delays and disruptions for over 17 years. Criticised Conservative Ministers' handling of HS2 Ltd and their failure to clean up messes left behind, notably by Mark Wild who has experience cleaning up Tory messes like Crossrail.

Discussed issues faced by rural communities including struggles in hospitality and farming. Raised concerns about upcoming consultation on changes to shotgun licensing, estimating a third of users might not renew licences leading to economic loss. Emphasised the importance of trail hunting for the rural economy, citing survey results showing 63% support in his constituency. Criticised Government's intention to ban trail hunting based on minimal evidence of criminality.

Expressed support for trail hunting in South Shropshire and defended it against animal welfare criticisms. Emphasised the importance of rural pursuits to the community.

Defended Labour's stance on rural issues, including foxhunting. Advocated for separating conservation and shooting from hunting debates. Called for co-ordination of renewable energy infrastructure projects to avoid cumulative impact issues.

Asked Jenny Riddell-Carpenter whether she agreed that rural constituencies like Suffolk Coastal would be negatively impacted by rhetoric against renewable energy jobs from the Opposition. Riddell-Carpenter responded affirmatively, agreeing that such rhetoric was dangerous.

Called for reducing business rates and VAT for rural pubs and proposed merging sections 1 and 2 of the shotgun licensing regime. Urged restoring listed places of worship scheme, dropping the family farm tax, restoring funding for neighbourhood plans, and fundamentally 'ruralising' funding formulas.

Asked Simon Hoare about a root-and-branch review of business rates to avoid bankruptcy and misery in rural areas. Hoare agreed but suggested getting rid of the whole system entirely.

Asked Mike Reader about addressing the Northern Ireland protocol which affects manufacturing and exports, as well as veterinary and medicines. Reader acknowledged the importance of addressing such issues for economic prosperity but requested clarification on the specific details.

Focused on supporting food producers in rural communities through sustainable development policies. Advocated for reforming planning regulations to unlock potential in farming productivity and reduce paperwork burden on farmers.

Mr Robertson highlighted the Conservative government's support for rural communities, emphasising their commitment to scrapping the family farm tax and supporting farmers and fishing communities. He criticised Labour's handling of rural issues and suggested that building houses in inappropriate places is harmful.

Dr Johnson agreed with Mr Robertson regarding the negative impact of solar farms on farmland and expressed concern about inappropriate house building, arguing against Labour's stance that rural communities support such developments.

Mr Naish criticised the Conservative government for damaging rural Britain through Brexit policies and called for a joined-up approach to address issues like food security, nature restoration, and infrastructure development. He emphasised the importance of understanding and acting on the unique needs of rural communities.

Ms Cross advocated for proper funding for Aberdeenshire's council to support winter preparedness and road maintenance. She highlighted the struggles farmers face in deep snow, stressing the importance of supporting rural communities during crises.

The MP emphasised the dire situation in rural Britain caused by Labour's policies, including reduced de-linked payments, capital grants closures, and new taxes on fertilizers. He cited statistics like over 1,100 pub closures since the autumn budget and more than 89,000 hospitality workers losing their jobs.

Sir Alec raised concerns about solar farms taking over agricultural land and warned about thermal runaway issues without adequate research. He highlighted the environmental risks to soil nutrients from heavy metals used in solar panels.

Discussed the Batters review with 57 recommendations, prioritising implementation. Mentioned problems in firearms licensing scheme since last fee review in 2015.

Moved for closure of debate under Standing Order No. 36, leading to voting on the main Question as amended.