Helen Morgan questions Minister over fair funding for rural services

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has questioned Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, over the need for fairer funding for rural public services.

The MP spoke in the Commons to raise the fact that the cost of delivering public services in rural areas is higher than in urban equivalents. This is particularly acute in social care funding, where the cost of travel is much higher and the number of people in need of care is also higher.

Helen Morgan has been a constant campaigner on rural issues, and has previously suggested that a lack of quality social care in Shropshire has wide-ranging impacts including on A&E waiting times.

The Secretary of State acknowledged the point and suggested that there may be a need to provide additional funding for rural local authorities like Shropshire in adult social care.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire asked, “Delivery of local services is so important to levelling up all areas of Britain. The Secretary of State will be aware that in rural areas, the cost of delivering public services is much higher than in their urban counterparts.

“In rural counties like Shropshire, for example, the cost of providing social care is much higher and the proportion of people who need that care are higher because there are older residents.

“Will the Secretary of State consider taking into account the cost of provision of those services when determining the local government settlement in the future?”

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, answered, “It's a very fair point, and absolutely on this side of the house. We understand that rural communities need additional investment, not least when it comes to the cost of adult social care.”