Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rural England Prosperity Fund

Thursday 19 December 2024 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rebecca Smith asked about the potential merits of extending the rural England prosperity fund.
  • The Minister responded with holiday wishes and referenced the autumn Budget's DEFRA funding.
  • Smith highlighted farmers' interest in the fund's role in community economic growth.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from the need to assess the potential benefits of extending a fund aimed at supporting rural areas in England.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the potential merits of extending the rural England prosperity fund?

Answer from Daniel Zeichner

I wish you and all your staff a happy Christmas, and thank all those who work in our food system. The autumn Budget confirmed DEFRA budgets for 2024-25 and 765-26, and funding allocations will be determined through the Department's business planning exercise.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assessment of the merits of extending the rural England prosperity fund

How: Christmas Wishes, General Statements About Defra Budgets

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Q2 Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Local Government
Context

Farmers have highlighted the role of the rural England prosperity fund in economic growth, especially following the publication of an English devolution White Paper.

Question

I thank the Minister for that answer. Farmers in my constituency have highlighted the role that the rural England prosperity fund could play in the economic growth of our community. Given the publication of the English devolution White Paper this week, what conversations has the Minister had with MHCLG about how funding can ensure devolution success in rural areas?

Answer from Daniel Zeichner

We are in constant dialogue with our MHCLG colleagues. Areas with significant rural populations will receive a 5% increase in their core spending power, which is a real-terms increase. We hope to address the rural productivity gap of some 18%, which is a challenge.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific conversations between DEFRA and MHCLG on devolution funding

How: General Statements About Dialogue, Mentioning Overall Spending Power Increase

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