There is a pattern here, of which we are all too aware in Shropshire. Over the past 10 years there has been a relentless shift in Government spending towards urban areas, where Labour's vote is strongest.
A plethora of data and reports are used by Government Ministers to support these decisions. Most identify need based on deprivation, health inequalities, recorded crime and so on. I do not deny that these are and should be an important part of the mix when allocating taxpayers money.
But there is a vital ingredient missing. This is the reality of life in rural Britain today. We have deprived areas and vulnerable people living in the British countryside too. Average incomes are lower and it costs more to provide services in rural areas. In too many areas too many country people have less and less and are getting fewer and fewer services or support.
It is not just our schools where unfair funding now applies. But funding for the NHS, local government, the police, fire and ambulance services are all skewed towards the cities. Rural areas have to live with limited public transport, fewer public services, post offices and mail deliveries, often have poor mobile phone and broadband reception, and some remote areas still have no television and poor radio reception. I could go on.
It is high time this Government recognises the damage being done to rural communities from its decisions. I shall campaign to redress this balance, before it is too late.
