Victoria Vyvyan, president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), urges political parties to commit over £4 billion annually for land management subsidies in England, as Labour gains traction in rural areas. She emphasises the importance of the Environmental Land Management (Elm) scheme and affordable housing, highlighting the need for deep engagement with rural communities.
Victoria Vyvyan, president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), has urged political parties to commit over £4 billion annually for land management subsidies in England. This call comes amidst polling data suggesting Labour has gained traction in rural areas previously dominated by the Tories.
The Environmental Land Management (Elm) scheme, which funds public goods like healthy soil and wildlife habitats, and replaces the previous EU-era subsidies, is a central concern for rural voters, according to Vyvyan. Despite a successful rollout of the sustainable farming initiative last year, there has been a prolonged gap in budget clarity.
Beyond land management funding, affordable housing remains a priority for the CLA, advocating for a small number of houses to be built in numerous villages to help communities thrive. Vyvyan highlighted the importance of local representation in politics, suggesting that politicians not familiar with their constituencies might struggle to gain voter support.
Surveys by the CLA earlier in the year indicated a decline in Tory support in rural areas, with Labour gaining a narrow lead. The findings were supported by recent polling from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).
Addressing further budget concerns, Vyvyan emphasized the need for an annual allocation of over £4 billion, factoring in high inflation and additional climate change initiatives. She underscored the necessity for political candidates to engage deeply with rural communities to address their specific issues and avoid being perceived as out-of-touch.
