Coalition presses Treasury on rural funding

The Farmers Guardian covers the news that a coalition of rural organisations has written to Chief Secretary of the Treasury Liz Truss asking for changes ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The Review, assuming it takes place under a new Conservative leader, will set the budgets for Government departments over the next few years.

The coalition, which includes the Tenant Farmers’ Association (TFA), the CLA, the NFU and the Countryside Alliance, outlined connectivity, increasing productivity, supplies of affordable housing and emissions reduction as priorities for rural areas.

The letter said: ‘It is well-recognised that historic funding formulae have not reflected the additional cost pressures on rural areas.

The Government should look to correct this urgently, redefining need based on relevant or emerging data sets, suitable for each department serving rural communities. Failing to correct these imbalances will only exacerbate funding inequality over time.’

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