“Cumbria is not the same as London,” was the closing remark from MP for Penrith and The Border, Dr Neil Hudson's wide-ranging Parliamentary speech on how Government can make sure levelling up works for rural communities.
From off-grid energy support and the need for affordable local housing to buses and broadband, Dr Hudson once again raised the myriad issues that affect people in places across the British countryside.
Dr Hudson represents England’s largest and most rural constituency, so is well versed in the needs of rural communities and welcomed the chance to raise those needs in Parliament thanks to his Conservative colleague, Selaine Saxby, bringing forward a debate on levelling up rural Britain. The wide ranging debate saw many MPs contribute, with core set of themes shining through. These included funding mismatches, better digital and physical connectivity and the access to public services.
For his part, the Cumbrian MP, highlighted how the cost-of-living crisis is disproportionately affecting rural households and businesses. This is due to many homes and businesses not being connected to the gas grid and needing to be offered tailored support compared to those using gas to heat their homes. Moreover, rural sectors such as agriculture, which is on the front line of the crisis (fuel, animal feed and fertiliser) needs to be supported if the UK is to have resilient food security moving forward.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“When decision makers look at the beautiful landscapes of rural Britain, like the Lakes or the Pennines, we need to make sure that the policies made in London reflect the needs of rural areas.
“Better connectivity, fairer funding, tailored cost-of-living support – I feel like a broken record at this point, but I will continue to raise these issues as I know how much they impact the lives of people in Penrith and The Border.
“The wealth of feeling among my colleagues in the debate was striking and I’m glad to see so many MPs attending – in particular Conservative Members who made up the vast majority of those assembled.
“I thank my friend and colleague Selaine Saxby for bringing this vital debate to the House floor and look forward to working with Ministers and other MPs to create a comprehensive, long-term and sustainable rural policy. Together we can unlock the potential of our brilliant rural communities.”
Locally, while addressing rural Britain’s poor public transport, Dr Hudson urged decision makers to support the Borders Railway to come to Carlisle via Longtown and to reopen stations such as Gilsland. He also brought attention to ticket offices in Penrith and Appleby and Avanti West Coast’s poor service delivery.
Not all doom and gloom, Dr Hudson pointed to brilliant local charities filling the gaps such as the Fellrunner and Border Rambler buses, as well as his recent victory securing a bus to get Alston Moor students to college. Moving forward, he asked the new unitary authorities to use central Government funding to subsidise rural bus routes.
Other issues he touched upon include allowing councils to meet virtually, Eden District Council’s bid for the Levelling Up Fund, and emergency support for the hospitality and tourism sector.
Dr Hudson first put levelling up rural communities on the national agenda in February when he led an official Parliamentary debate on this issue in Cumbria. At the time he was widely praised by media outlets, constituents and other MPs for his comprehensive speech addressing the issues affecting people behind the picturesque views of rural Cumbria.
Since then, Dr Hudson has continually prioritised rural issues and has had some major wins such as securing a bus to get youngsters from Alston Moor to college and installing lightning-fast broadband to rural communities in Kirkoswald, Brough and Sleagill. His ongoing campaigns include standing up for the rural agri-food sector which has been rocket by subsequent crises; making sure those using heating oil, LPG and other off-grid fuels receive adequate support; and making sure rural communities are properly serviced by health, transport and digital services.
Watch Dr Hudson’s full speech from 18:04:43 here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/e59a4b32-ae7d-4380-88d3-b7cad4495757
The full transcript of Dr Hudson’s speech can be found here: www.hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-11-09/debates/BFA9777D-6DAB-4B1E-BF07-48D0E66BA064/LevellingUpRuralBritain%20You%20may%20also%20be%20interested%20in
