House of Commons – Jan. 7, 2026 – 397

Question put accordingly (Standing Order No. 31(2)), That the original words stand part of the Question. Amendment: I beg to move an amendment, to leave out from “House” to the end of the Question and add: “welcomes the support that the Government is providing for rural people, communities and businesses;

commends the continued support for farmers through investment in Environmental Land Management schemes which will boost nature and sustainable food production;

recognises that the Government has listened on the subject of Agricultural Property Relief and made changes to support family farms;

further welcomes the Bus Services Act 2025, which includes provision to support the protection of socially necessary bus services in rural areas;

further recognises that the Government continues to invest in Project Gigabit with £2.4 billion available to ensure over one million premises have access to gigabit-capable broadband;

and supports the joined-up approach with the weight of Government behind tackling rural crimes such as the theft of high value farm equipment and livestock.” Original words: I beg to move, That this House regrets that the Government’s policies have resulted in taxes forecast to rise to the highest proportion of GDP on record, record closures of agriculture, forestry and fishing businesses in the last 12 months, the closure of two pubs or restaurants every day and falling levels of business investment;

further regrets the Government’s changes to funding for rural areas;

also regrets the Government’s plans to build more energy infrastructure in the countryside to meet its net zero targets;

believes that these changes are likely to affect the rural way of life;

additionally regrets the Government’s chaotic approach to its plans to change Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief;

and calls on the Government to scrap all its planned changes to those reliefs.