Rural Communities
Debate between Rupert Lowe and Simon Hoare(2 days, 11 hours ago)
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Simon Hoare (North Dorset) (Con)
Given the time available, I want to read into the record, if I may, some key suggestions for the Government on this important issue. I welcome the fact that we have secured a debate on rural communities. In passing, it is interesting that we have been told in the media over the past few days that Reform UK is the party of the farmer. Its Members must be out tilling the fields! As always, they are all noise, no delivery.
I echo the call that many Members have made to reduce business rates for our vital rural pubs through revaluation and to reduce VAT for them.
Rupert Lowe
Does the hon. Gentleman agree with me and more than 4,000 business owners, including hundreds of rural companies who signed my open letter to the Chancellor in the last 24 hours, that a root-and-branch review of business rates is now a matter of urgency if bankruptcy and misery is to be avoided? There should be no change to interim covid relief subsidies until that review is complete.
Simon Hoare
I agree, but I think those on our Front Bench go one step further, which is to get rid of the whole damn thing in the first instance, as that solves the problem at a stroke.
I urge the Government to do what they did slightly with the family farm tax. There seem to be noises off from the Treasury, the Department for Business and Trade, and others, about potential changes here there and everywhere, and that they are listening. Businesses are at the brink, and they need certainty now. Stop playing cat and mouse with rural businesses on these policies. Take a decision, announce it. If it is a screeching U-turn, perform it. Do it elegantly, but for the love of God, just do it.