Championing Rural Issues in Parliament

As a representative in Parliament for a largely rural constituency, I am acutely aware of a wide variety of issues and concerns which come with modern, rural living.  Be that transport links, mobile signal, internet connections and rural schools and shops, and of course wider issues for those who work in the agriculture sector.

I have met with many of the parish councils in our rural villages and hamlets to discuss their concerns, and raised several matters with Ministers in Parliament.  Although there is welcome progress on some issues, such as the super-fast broadband roll-out across West Oxfordshire, there is still more to be done.

I am also in regular contact with many of the farmers who live and work in West Oxfordshire, and have done for generations.  Agriculture is one sector most effected by the UK's withdrawal from the EU, and I will work hard to ensure that West Oxfordshire is able to thrive from this opportunity.

Rural Communities Survey

  • Rural Communities Survey
  • National Issues
  • Get involved
  • Your details
1.1 Which are the biggest issues facing your rural community?
1.2 What do you perceive as the most common type of crime in your rural community?
1.3 On rural crime, have you witnessed any of the following in the past twelve months?
1.4 On internet connectivity, how reliable is your broadband connection?
1.5 How would you rate the bus service in your community?

News

Robert Welcomes Investment in Local Gigabit Broadband Rollout

Robert has welcomed the news that, as part of the Government's Project Gigabit, over 68,000 homes across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire will get access to top-of-the-range broadband connections. This is part of the Government's £5 billion investment to give hard to reach areas across the UK next ge

Action for Animals - Animal Welfare Survey

To coincide with the launch of the Government's new Action Plan for Animal Welfare, Robert has launched an Animal Welfare Survey to enable West Oxfordshire residents to share their views. As a pet owner, Robert has campaigned on animal welfare issues since his election to Parliament, deliverin

Thames Valley Police Announce New Rural Crime Taskforce

Thames Valley Police to launch new Rural Crime Taskforce later this year 

Following funding from the Police & Crime Commissioner, allocated in the 2021/22 budget, Thames Valley Police are launching a new Rural Crime Taskforce later this year.

Oxford Mail - Robert Courts MP Welcomes New Thames Valley Police Officers

An Oxfordshire MP has welcomed the announcement that Thames Valley Police has recruited more than 250 new officers. The addition of 258 officers brings the total number across the Thames Valley to 4,250. The Government launched a recruitment campaign a year ago, which has seen 6,620 officers join

Government Launches Pothole Repair Initiative

Robert said: "I warmly welcome the Government's announcement a first-of-its-kind pothole mapping project, working with businesses like Uber, Deliveroo, Tesco and Ocado to target nuisance potholes and make roads safer for everyone as people return to the office and school - backed with £2.5 billion f

Robert Writes to Thames Water to Demand Answers on the River Windrush

Robert said: "I've written to the Director of Thames Water to seek answers as to why Thames Water has gone back on its commitment to help fund an independent investigation into the health of the River Windrush. "It is vital that a thorough scientific study is undertaken in order to establish whethe

Robert Reacts to Budget 2020

Today's Budget delivers on our promises to the British people - to support families and help them with the cost of living, to level-up infrastructure, and to invest in Britain's future. Here's my top 10 announcements from the Budget: 🏥 £30 Billion Coronavirus Stimulus Package to support the N