Patrick McLoughlin

Conservative Party | West Derbyshire

MP Urges a Budget for the Countryside

West Derbyshire's Member of Parliament, Patrick McLoughlin, has called upon the Government to put the countryside first in next week's Budget. Mr McLoughlin commented:

‘I am concerned that this Government does not understand what it is like to live in a rural area. Tony Blair`s vision of the countryside is of a gigantic theme park, a rural version of the Millennium Dome.

‘The devastating consequences for the rural economy of the collapse in farm incomes has been made worst by Government policies, such as those on transport. The ever increasing cost of fuel penalises many rural dwellers in two ways - most obviously through petrol prices, as they may have to drive to work, school, shopping and health care. The Government should consider the effects on drivers who have no alternative means of transport. I also hope that it will re-consider my proposal for community transport. Minibuses run by volunteers to help the disabled and elderly should have the same rebate on fuel duty as bus companies operating for profit.

‘Also in West Derbyshire, those villages that have no mains gas, have seen the cost of the oil for their central heating double in a year. I would like the Government to do more to encourage the gas companies to take into account the needs of rural areas.

‘The lack of facilities in the countryside is also a growing problem. The Government is choosing to make that situation worse by threatening the future of small post offices. I believe that the people who will suffer most, are those without a car, including pensioners, the disabled and mothers of young children. All of these groups might find it difficult, expensive and time-consuming to visit a bank regularly. Banks are now planning to levy a charge each time cash machines are used. I hope the Government will consider how that can be stopped.