I have the pleasure of representing the constituency of Chester South and Eddisbury which has a large rural and agricultural community. In the short time that I have been in office I have seen the commitment, dedication and care our farmers put into their work alongside their stewardship of the countryside and the critical role they play in the UK’s food security. But I have also seen the significant challenges for them from working long hours in an often unpredictable industry and the resulting strain and worry. Tragically, a farmer from my area took his life this summer and I sadly know there have been similar instances across the country. I have been particularly disturbed by the reports of incidents related to anxiety around the recent budget measures.
I am now in a position to affect the conversations we have in Westminster, albeit in a small way as a backbench Opposition MP, and I am determined to do so on this important topic. That is why I held my first Adjournment Debate on the subject of improving mental health in our rural and agricultural communities with the aim of influencing the decisions taken in Government to better serve our farmers who do so much to serve us.
In recent years there has been a greater understanding about the importance of mental wellbeing, alongside an increasing awareness and openness to discuss mental health difficulties. There are a number of reasons why mental health in rural communities requires extra focus, one being that a significant contributing factor in mental health problems can be the issue of loneliness. In rural areas this can take the form of literal isolation. Farms are spread out. Often your neighbour can be acres away, the nearest village with a pub or community hall miles away and the nearest town with amenities tens of miles away. Farmers work unsociable hours, spending time away from their family, and they cannot ‘nip’ down to the local for a quick drink and a catch-up with friends of an evening. So farmers spend a great deal of time alone which, in turn, can lead to mental health problems.
Alongside this, isolation is exacerbated by the limited availability of public transport. Rural bus services have been decimated in recent years. I speak from experience having had several bus routes recently cancelled in my constituency literally cutting off villages from town centres and vital amenities. Not having reliable public transport compounds the problem of isolation and again, we must understand and recognise this as part of the reason why mental health in rural areas deserves particular focus.
There is also the issue of digital isolation. We live in an ever-increasingly interconnected world whereby our social lives, at least in part, take place virtually. Those of us who enjoy reliable and quick mobile and broadband coverage can afford to see less of our friends in person because we can keep up-to-date with their lives on social media, message them on demand and call them up when we need to talk. The same cannot be said in the countryside.
Broadband and mobile coverage was one of the biggest issues that came up on the doorstep as I campaigned for election. It may be hard to believe for those of us in Westminster but in seats like mine, it is a genuinely serious problem that I am working to address. So, farmers are not only isolated physically, but also digitally.
Add to this the stresses and strains of managing a farm, the unpredictability of the weather, the risks of animal disease outbreaks, the long hours, the impacts of global events on prices, and the financial pressures that many farms face, it is perhaps no wonder that a survey by the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) found that over a third of the agricultural community are possibly or probably depressed. That same survey found that the future of the farm and financial pressures were two of the six main contributory stressors impacting mental wellbeing. There is support available from RABI and from many other great charities including the Farming Community Network and Yellow Wellies. But it is clear that Government has a key part to play in addressing factors that can contribute to stress and anxiety, and in understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by the agricultural community.
The Government needs to take a joined-up, integrated approach when considering policy that impacts farming. Take for example the recent changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) announced in the Budget. A decision taken by the Treasury. I cannot say if DEFRA officials were in the room when this decision was made but I suspect not; if they were, then it is even more incredulous that this decision has been taken. Having DEFRA officials in the room as policy relating to agricultural and rural affairs is made is imperative. In doing so, we can hope that the voice of farmers is heard and decisions such as APR can be prevented rather than now needing to be cured.
Secondly, we know that young people have been struggling in particular with mental health issues. If we want farming to continue we must support our young people. The sector needs to be attractive, financially viable and accessible. There are excellent land-based colleges, such as Reaseheath College in my constituency, that are working hard to bring through the next generation of farmers. Skills are vital but we must do more to create a path to supporting young farmers and the challenges they face through a specific strategy.
Finally, farmers must be put at the centre of agricultural policy. It is a simple ask but one that must deliver. If we do so, we will avoid the sort of mistakes that have been recently made and support our farmers in their work they do to keep us fed, care for our countryside and support our local economies.
