Member

My amendment would force local growth plans to take into consideration the deficiencies in infrastructure that can hold back economic growth in rural areas. This Government envisage mayoral strategic authorities will produce local growth plans, but given the geographical spread of some of the new rural authorities, I worry these areas could still be unfairly impacted. So I ask the Minister to explain how they believe this Bill as it stands will give rural communities the services that they should expect without even mentioning them. I urge the Minister not to miss this opportunity to realise rural economic growth and ensure due regard is taken to empower rural, remote and coastal communities to play their part.