Championing Rural Issues in Parliament

As a representative in Parliament for a largely rural constituency, I am acutely aware of a wide variety of issues and concerns which come with modern, rural living.  Be that transport links, mobile signal, internet connections and rural schools and shops, and of course wider issues for those who work in the agriculture sector.

I have met with many of the parish councils in our rural villages and hamlets to discuss their concerns, and raised several matters with Ministers in Parliament.  Although there is welcome progress on some issues, such as the super-fast broadband roll-out across West Oxfordshire, there is still more to be done.

I am also in regular contact with many of the farmers who live and work in West Oxfordshire, and have done for generations.  Agriculture is one sector most effected by the UK's withdrawal from the EU, and I will work hard to ensure that West Oxfordshire is able to thrive from this opportunity.

Rural Communities Survey

  • Rural Communities Survey
  • National Issues
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  • Your details
1.1 Which are the biggest issues facing your rural community?
1.2 What do you perceive as the most common type of crime in your rural community?
1.3 On rural crime, have you witnessed any of the following in the past twelve months?
1.4 On internet connectivity, how reliable is your broadband connection?
1.5 How would you rate the bus service in your community?

News

Robert Welcomes Plans for Future Greener Farming

Robert said: "The Government has just published new details on our future Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELM), which will see farmers paid for their hard work which enhances and protects our environment.

Robert Welcomes Increase in Council Funding

Robert said: "Last night, we confirmed the biggest increase in councils’ spending power for a decade – ensuring local public services are properly supported, with a 4.4% real terms increase in funding.

Robert Welcomes £5 Billion Gigabit Broadband Investment

Robert said: "This Government is investing £5 billion to rollout gigabit broadband across the country, with funding targetted at the hardest to reach rural areas. We want everyone in the UK to benefit from world-class connectivity no matter where they live, work or travel.

Robert Welcomes Pledge for Fundamental Business Rates Review

Robert said: "Listening to the concerns of local business, I have campaigned tirelessly for a fundamental review of the business rates system through my role as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Small Business.

Robert Puts the Environment at the Heart of his Campaign

Robert said: "I made my first speech on climate change when I was at school - and have been a passionate conservationist ever since. Living in West Oxfordshire, with its beautiful green countryside and diverse wildlife, environmental considerations are always at the forefront of my mind.

12 Conservative Achievements on Tackling Climate Change

We passed the world’s first Climate Change Act over a decade ago with cross-party support to give us both a framework to set statutory carbon budgets and set up the independent Committee on Climate Change.
 
Published the UK Clean Growth Strategy