What are the implications for rural businesses?

Here’s what Labour have said they will do in their manifesto:

Housing and Planning

• Pledge to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years.

• Immediately abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.

• Ensure homes in the private rented sector meet minimum energy efficiency standards by 2030.

• A commitment to ‘preserve the green belt’ but take a ‘strategic approach’ to releasing ‘’lower quality ‘green belt’ land’’ whilst maintaining a ‘brownfield first approach’.

Farming and Food

• Set a target for half of all food purchased across the public sector to be locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards.

• A pledge to work with farmers and scientists to eradicate bovine TB.

• End badger culling.

• Negotiate a veterinary agreement with the EU to prevent unnecessary border checks.

• Introduce a land use framework to ensure land, across the country, is used in the most effective way.

• Will make ELMs work for farmers and nature.

• No plans to change the Agricultural Property Relief (APR) which allows farmland to be passed down the generations without incurring inheritance tax.

Environment

• By 2030, Labour pledge to triple solar power generation and double onshore wind generation.

• Establish three new National Forests in England.

• Create nine new National River Walks.

• Create new woodlands by planting millions of trees.

• Labour will not introduce a ‘right to roam’ legislation.

Rural Economy

• New employment rights legislation within 100 days of office to include ending zero-hour contracts and removing age bands for the minimum wage.