Local Government Finance (Rural Authorities)

Debate between Tony Cunningham and Neil Parish

Monday 11th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Sir Tony Cunningham (Workington) (Lab)]

rose—

[Neil Parish]

I will give way to the hon. Gentleman.

[Sir Tony Cunningham]

The hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart) mentioned the contrast between urban and rural areas, and the deprivation in urban areas. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that there is deprivation in rural areas, too?

[Neil Parish]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention because that is precisely the point. Rural areas are often leafy and green, and it does not appear, on the face of it, that there is any deprivation there, but there is. In rural areas people often have lower wages and so even those who are working find it very difficult to pay high levels of council tax. He makes a good point.