For decades, Local Government Funding has not recognised that delivering services in beautiful rural areas like ours is more expensive. It is time we end rural disadvantage and improve rural infrastructure investment.
I was delighted to help secure £23.7 million in Levelling Up Funding in January 2023, a once in a generation amount of money which will shape the future of our communities. Progress continues to be made for plans including a National Medi-Tech Innovation Centre, a rural bus network and revamping our tourism offer at Rutland County Museum. I also secured the creation of the Rural Prosperity Fund which benefited all our Councils and communities.
Last year I published a report with UK Onward calling for the Government to incorporate social mobility into Local Government funding formulas. Our report presents further evidence of the historic underfunding in our communities, the detrimental effect this has on our children growing up in areas of poor social mobility, and a clear funding proposal to resolve this. I will continue to do all I can to incorporate this proposal into their funding formulas, and secure the fair deal we deserve.
Rurality should never serve as a barrier to our rural communities, and I will continue to fight to bring fairness to local Government funding to ensure we get the support and infrastructure we need.
