Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Levelling Up: Cost of Living in Rural Areas

Monday 9 January 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Levelling up agenda aims to improve opportunities and living standards, including maintaining an 85-million rural services delivery grant.
  • Government delays in announcing levelling-up funding bids and concerns about capital expenditure deadlines beyond 31 March 2025 are raised.
  • Government acknowledges higher cost of living in rural areas and ongoing efforts to mitigate pressures through cost of living payments and energy bill assistance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Economy Benefits & Welfare Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concerned about the impact of levelling up on rural areas' cost of living, especially with higher petrol, food, transport and housing costs.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the Department's levelling-up agenda on the cost of living for people in rural areas?

Answer from Dehenna Davison

Levelling up is about improving opportunities and living standards across the country. Recognizing higher costs in rural areas, we proposed maintaining an £85-million rural services delivery grant. Autumn statement measures include benefit and pension inflation uprating, energy price guarantee strengthening, and cost of living payments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific assessment of the impact on cost of living in rural areas beyond general statements.

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Q2 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

Concern about delays in announcing successful bids for levelling-up funding and the difficulty of meeting capital expenditure deadlines.

Question

Is concerned that the Government's delay in announcing successful bids for levelling-up funding, particularly for North East Fife. Is also worried about not pushing back the deadline on capital expenditure beyond 31 March 2025 due to challenges in delivering projects.

Answer from Dehenna Davison

We are putting additional funding in place to support local areas to build up capacity and improve their ability to deliver projects on time. All constituents want spades in the ground as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address extending the deadline for capital expenditure explicitly.

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Q3 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Economy Housing Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Cited a constituent's severe situation due to the high costs in rural areas, with the person expressing despair over their financial struggles.

Question

Acknowledges that the cost of living crisis is worse for rural parts of Britain due to higher petrol, food, transport and housing costs compared to lower average wages. Requests acknowledgment of the problem and collaboration across Government to address it.

Answer from Dehenna Davison

Acknowledges similar cases in rural communities, noting that a lot of work is ongoing across Government to mitigate cost of living pressures including cost of living payments and additional help with energy bills. Will be willing to work with anyone who can help.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific plans or actions to address the issue beyond general willingness to collaborate.

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Q4 Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North
Environment
Context

Concern about the cost of sewage disposal, with a housing association levying charges up to £300 per month.

Question

Requests a meeting to discuss specifics of high sewage disposal costs and explore possible Government support.

Answer from Dehenna Davison

Grateful for the raise, will meet to learn more and see what more can be done to support constituents on sewage disposal costs.

Answered
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Q5 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Suggestion that supporting the Inspiring Eden Enterprise Hub bid would be beneficial for Penrith, Eden and rural Cumbria.

Question

Asks if backing the Inspiring Eden Enterprise Hub bid would show Government support for rural areas.

Answer from Dehenna Davison

Recognizes excellent work championing Penrith and The Border, willing to meet to discuss further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly commit to backing the Inspiring Eden Enterprise Hub bid.

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