Ian Liddell-Grainger, the MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, has joined rural MPs in 'warning' The Chancellor ahead of the budget on Wednesday.

A statement from the West Somerset MP said: "The Chancellor has been warned not to forget the needs of rural areas in this week’s Budget."

Mr Liddell-Grainger said the needs of families living in rural areas were being ignored: "There seems to be a general assumption among ministers that if you live in an attractive rural area then life is good and you don’t have much to complain about.

“But you can’t pay a gas bill with a view. And those of us who do live out in the country are only too aware of the crushing financial pressures now bearing down on thousands of families.

“In my own area there are scores of businesses in the tourism sector which are struggling because barely had they recovered from the pandemic than energy prices were suddenly heading skywards.

“Hardly a week goes by without a pub or a restaurant closing - not only a tragedy for the owners but a loss to the tourism industry: the more we continue to lose pubs, hotels and restaurants the less attractive the area becomes to visitors and the fewer will come here and spend their money.

“The Chancellor has it within his power to table some practical and imaginative programmes for re-energising the rural economy - and we look to him to do so.”