News story

28th June 2001

MP Challenges New Rural Affairs Minister Over Plight of Local Businesses

Northavon MP Steve Webb has today spoken out in the House of Commons over the continuing plight of local businesses which have been badly affected by Foot and Mouth Disease. The Lib Dem MP was speaking at the first question time since the General Election to the newly formed Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, headed by Margaret Beckett. Steve Webb highlighted the fact that many local businesses had suffered heavy losses because of Foot and Mouth and its consequences. Yet despite the rural nature of large parts of his constituency, local businesses were being denied support because they were “not rural enough”. In reply, Mrs. Beckett said she would look into the anomaly that the Northavon MP had raised, but did not promise that any action would necessarily follow.

Speaking after the question-and-answer session, Steve Webb said:

“The effects of Foot and Mouth continue to be widely felt across our community. The cancellation of major events such as the Badminton Horse Trials and the scaling down of many other activities have caused serious problems for a wide range of businesses in our area. It is quite unacceptable that arbitrary Government rules mean that these businesses are excluded from some forms of help because they are not considered to be “rural enough”. I will be expecting the new Secretary of State to take a serious look at this issue and to back up her words with action”.


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