Rural counties like Norfolk face much higher costs than urban areas – which are seldom reflected in the Whitehall funding formulas.

The extra costs of transport and heating have long hit rural households, businesses and public services disproportionately hard – as have the growing needs of an ageing demographic. However, the Cost of Living Crisis, post-pandemic labour shortages and energy price inflation caused by the War in Ukraine have significantly added to those pressures and now mean we are facing the perfect storm.

That’s why I’m using my new freedom as a backbench MP to step up my long ongoing campaign and lobby the Prime Minister, Chancellor and ministers even harder ahead of the forthcoming Budget and General Election for a Rural Premium and fairer funding for rural public services.

For too long, rural areas have been overlooked by Whitehall officials who focus too much on policies designed for cities and urban communities. I am determined to do all I can to be Mid Norfolk’s strongest voice on these key issues and ensure Government makes that right.

To stay up to date with all of my work on this issue, please regularly visit my campaign page here for updates.

(And check some of my related campaign pages – such as ‘Fairer Rural Schools Funding and Support’ and ‘Backing Local Businesses’ here).