Farron made patron of rural fair share campaign

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has been appointed a Parliamentary Patron of the Rural Fair Share campaign.

This campaign brings together Members of Parliament from all parties, along with organisations, community groups, and individuals concerned about the welfare of our rural communities.

Tim is seen a champion for rural communities and for Cumbria. NFU President Peter Kendall recently said of Tim: "Many of my members, especially in Tim's back yard in the North West, recognise him as a positive force for farming, keeping our issues high up the political agenda and never losing sight of the vital contribution food and farming make to our economy."

Tim said, "Rural areas like ours in Cumbria tend to be good stewards of public funds and make do with what is offered. This has sometimes been used as an excuse by London based civil servants to provide us with less funding. I am fighting to end that. In tough times it is essential that we move to a fairer allocation of limited public resources that give rural areas the resources we need. I will keep doing everything I can to be Westmorland's man in Westminster, fighting our areas corner and fighting for the best deal we can get."

According to a report by the Rural Services Network, rural residents earn less, on average, than those in cities, pay council tax which is £100 higher per head, and see urban areas receive government grants fifty per cent higher per head than those in the countryside. This means people in the country earn less, pay higher council tax and then receive substantially less support for services. Delivering services in sparse, rural areas also tends to be more expensive, which can add to the burden.