Radical measures will help rural communities - Huhne

2.32.34am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 24th Sep 2006

The Liberal Democrats have warned of the looming threat of a 'two-track countryside' as a result of Labour's failure to tackle the decline in public services and affordable rural housing.

They have also criticised the Government's incompetence on rural affairs, ranging from the Foot and Mouth crisis to the Rural Payments Agency fiasco.

The Rural Communities policy motion includes plans to help solve the crisis in affordable housing, a legally binding supermarket code and an end to the excessive bureaucracy hampering single farm payments. It will also contain radical reforms to modernise the post office network and reaffirm Liberal Democrat opposition to a Bed Tax.

Liberal Democrat Shadow DEFRA Secretary Chris Huhne MP said:

"There is the looming threat of a two-track countryside of prosperous urban escapees and marginalised rural residents.

"Rural areas are facing major challenges, such as the affordable housing crisis, declining public services and growing red tape.

"The time has come to bite the bullet and introduce the radical measures needed to revitalise our rural communities.

Herefordshire is in desperate need of more affordable housing and less unnecessary bureaucracy. If implemented, the measures announced would help to ensure that residents and businesses could thrive and succeed in the county.

Applicability: due to devolution, parts of this item refer to the whole UK and parts refer to only some sections of the UK.