4 May 2021

Below is an RSN review of last week's rural related politics as well as a look forward to the week ahead:

Last week in politics (26 April - 2 May)

On Tuesday 27th April, the Government announced that the annual allocations provided to maintain school buildings will increase by over 20 per cent to £1.8 billion this financial year, helping schools to build back better from the pandemic.

On Wednesday 28th April, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock MP delivered the COVID-19 press conference where he revealed that vaccines have been found to reduce transmission within households by 50 per cent.

On Thursday 29th April, the Department for Education revealed it has supported disadvantaged children and young people by procuring technology to help them access remote education and social care during the pandemic. Sally-Ann Hart MP (Con) also tabled a debate to ask what steps the Government is taking to improve transport connections in rural areas. The Minister of State for the Department for Transport Andrew Stephenson MP (Con) responded: we have established the rural mobility fund worth £20 million to trial more demand-responsive services, and we have awarded funding to 17 pilot projects already. We have also published a call for evidence for the future of transport rural strategy that sought views on how rural communities can benefit best from transport innovation.

This week in politics (3 May - 9  May)

• On Tuesday 4th May, there will be oral questions on lessons learned from curtailing the implementation of the Green Homes Grant and the cancellation of earlier energy efficiency schemes. The compatibility of Government policies with the UK’s net zero by 2050 carbon budget targets will also be debated in the House of Lords with Lord Browne of Ladyton (Lab).
• On Thursday 6th May, Lord Balfe (Con) will host oral questions on GP surgeries and returning appointments back to normal capacity, and Lord Rose of Monewden (Con) has tabled a debate on Youth Employment after the pandemic.

  Please note Parliament has been prorogued until the Queen's Speech on 11th May.