Political opinion with Andrew Griffith MP: Hoping to see real action for rural communities in Budget

From country pubs to food production, the high cost of diesel to the fact that there is often no public transport, rural communities across the South Downs are quite different in their needs from many other parts of the UK.

For too long rural communities have felt that their voices are not being heard. Over the past two years, an unprecedented range of policies has put pressure on the people, businesses and traditions that make our countryside what it is, from changes to National Insurance and the family farm death tax, to divisive proposals affecting traditional country sports.

I hope that this week’s Budget will see real action for rural communities. Action on energy where off-grid heating oil does not benefit from any price caps, action on the price of petrol and diesel for communities with no choice but to use a car, and action on the unfair family farm and family business ‘death tax’.

Rural communities also need their fair share of funding from central government. Sadly, research for the independent County Council Network suggests that Labour-run urban councils stand to gain more than a billion in government funding over the next five years, while rural councils including West Sussex could lose hundreds of millions over the same period.

For rural communities, local government funding has a direct impact on everyday life. It determines the services people can access, from road maintenance and community facilities to waste collection and social care, across large and often sparsely populated areas. Rural councils face particular challenges in delivering these services. Longer travel distances, limited public transport and dispersed populations can make provision more expensive, while residents may have far fewer alternatives when local services are reduced or withdrawn.

To end on a positive note, the Countryside Alliance rural awards are now open for nominations, recognising the people, businesses and communities that make rural Britain such a special place to live, work and visit. The South Downs has a good track record of nominees and winners so nominate your own favourite local business at the Countryside Alliance website today.