'Countryside neglected by Government'

Countryside communities feel neglected by the Government, according to the select committee of MPs, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

Rural communities feel that country issues have been 'marginalised' by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), in favour of climate change.

Rural economy issues, high house prices and low wages should be address by the Government, urged the committee.

Committee chairman Michael Jack said: 'Defra must raise its game on rural affairs if it is to unlock the billions of pounds of untapped economic potential in the countryside.'

Mr Jack, speaking on behalf of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, said that currently, countryside communities feel neglected by the Government.

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