The MP for North Northumberland has backed a call from the Labour Rural Research Group (LRRG) that the party’s reset must include a new approach to rural Britain if it is serious about delivering economic growth across the whole country.

A new report released today by the LRRG, of which David Smith is a member, titled ‘The Future of the Rural Economy’ warns that rural communities are too often treated as peripheral to national economic policy.

This is despite their central role in delivering food security, clean energy, housing, nature recovery and long-term growth.

The report, authored by the LRRG and sponsored by the Country Land and Business Association, found that rural England generated £259billion in Gross Value Added in 2023, but its share of national output has fallen from around 19% in 2001 to approximately 12% today.

David Smith, Labour MP for North Northumberland.

placeholder image — David Smith, Labour MP for North Northumberland.

In addition, polling commissioned by the LRRG showed that 63 per cent said it would be the right decision for Labour to make rural communities and the rural economy a higher priority than in recent years. Only five per cent said it would be the wrong decision.

Mr Smith, secretary of LRRG, said: “Rural economies in areas like North Northumberland have been falling behind, despite making an immense contribution to our country.

“The focus for the Labour Government needs to be giving proper focus to our rural areas by creating a whole-of-government rural economic strategy, tailoring aspects of British Business Bank delivery towards rural firms and developing a rural workforce strategy.

“These are serious suggestions to address the problems that Northumberland businesses are facing around skills, finance and direction.”