LONDON April 29 (People’s Daily Online) —— Labour launched its better plan for rural Britain on 28 April, setting out its policies to build a rural economy that works for working people and supports rural families and communities. It pledges to tackle low pay for agricultural workers.

Labour’s better plan for rural communities includes:

• Tackling low-pay in agriculture by creating an industry-led taskforce on productivity and pay as well as boosting skills and apprenticeships.

• Building more affordable homes by strengthening requirements on developers to build affordable housing in rural areas.

• Bringing the off-grid energy sector under the remit of the regulator for the first time.

• Standing up for farmers by creating a tough new supermarket watchdog by expanding the role and powers of the Groceries Code Adjudicator.

• Cutting business rates for small businesses, which employ over two-thirds of the rural workforce.

• Giving rural communities more power over their own bus services.

• Ensuring that all parts of the country benefit from affordable, high-speed broadband by the end of the Parliament.

• Devolving powers to our English county regions, giving communities the ability to shape the places they live.

Maria Eagle, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of state for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “The Tory plan is failing hardworking families in rural Britain. Wages are over £4500 lower than those in urban areas, while at the same time many rural families face higher living costs.

“Labour’s better plan for rural Britain is based on building a rural economy that rewards hard work and shares prosperity. Only Labour has a plan to make our economy work for working people in all of parts of Britain – for those living in rural, coastal and market town communities as well as in cities.”