Thank you for contacting me about rural issues.
My Conservative colleagues and I are absolutely committed to supporting rural communities.
It has been an extremely challenging few years for farmers in particular. Challenges have included: the effects of climate change (too little or too much rain), the effects of this Government's policies to tackle climate change (high fuel and energy costs), a difficult trading environment for the sector and economic policies such as the family farm tax and the rise in employer's national insurance contributions exacerbating the difficulties the farming community faces.
What the Government fails to understand is that farmers look after 70 per cent of the UK’s land; they are the keystone of our rural communities. When they struggle, our rural economy is weakened, and our food security is put at risk. The Government must start listening and actually look after the communities that nurture food security and biosecurity, rather than continuing to promote policies that make farmers’ lives more difficult or that favour urban areas at the expense of our rural communities.
More broadly, I hope that Ministers bring together resources from across government to tackle issues such as GP and dental access; rural crime; housing supply; and access to transport. I'm also aware that many in our rural communities experience isolation and loneliness to a greater degree, and I'm keen to focus on mental health support and services for those in need.
I will continue to support our rural communities locally and in Parliament.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
