A Norfolk MP has raised the “hard and destructive” issue of how rural deprivation is being addressed.

Jerome Mayhew, Broadland MP, highlighted the subject during a question session in the House of Commons with the women and equalities minister Liz Truss.

Speaking on Wednesday, July 22, the Conservative MP said: “Rural poverty is easy to overlook in picturesque areas which other people associate with holidays and a slower quality of life. But it is every bit as hard and destructive for those who are affected by it.”

Mr Mayhew asked Ms Truss: “What action is the government taking to address rural deprivation?”

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The equalities minister, who is also secretary of state for international trade and MP for South West Norfolk, said: “We want everybody to benefit from our levelling up agenda and we recognise deprived rural areas can face additional barriers.”

She said the equalities hub would analyse data so “we can take measures across government to address that”.

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