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 Plans for Future Greener Farming

Robert said: "The Government has just published new details on our future Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELM), which will see farmers paid for their hard work which enhances and protects our environment. "Now we have left the European Union, we have the opportunity to ensure our environment

Robert Welcomes Increase in Council Funding

Robert said: "Last night, we confirmed the biggest increase in councils’ spending power for a decade – ensuring local public services are properly supported, with a 4.4% real terms increase in funding. "MPs voted to approve additional funding for both our hardworking police and for local councils.

Robert Welcomes £5 Billion Gigabit Broadband Investment

Robert said: "This Government is investing £5 billion to rollout gigabit broadband across the country, with funding targetted at the hardest to reach rural areas. We want everyone in the UK to benefit from world-class connectivity no matter where they live, work or travel.

Witney Gazette - Witney MP Robert Courts Backs £5 Billion Transport Spend

Witney MP, Robert Courts, has welcomed the Government’s announcement to invest £5 billion into overhauling buses and cycling over the next five years. The money will be used to create more frequent bus services, fund 4,000 new zero emission buses, and build over 250 miles of new cycle routes i

Robert Visits Bird Aid Sites in Stonesfield and Ditchley

Robert joined Wychwood Bird Aid volunteers recently to visit Bird Aid feeding sites in Stonesfield, and then Ditchley Estate. Volunteers were thrilled to show Robert the rare marsh tits as well as good-sized flocks of farmland birds such as yellowhammers and linnets along the hedgerows of

Robert Welcomes Pledge for Fundamental Business Rates Review

Robert said: "Listening to the concerns of local business, I have campaigned tirelessly for a fundamental review of the business rates system through my role as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Small Business.

12 Conservative Achievements on Tackling Climate Change

We passed the world’s first Climate Change Act over a decade ago with cross-party support to give us both a framework to set statutory carbon budgets and set up the independent Committee on Climate Change.
  Published the UK Clean Growth Strategy