THE House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy is to press environment minister Michael Gove about issues faced by the rural economy.

The committee has heard multiple times over the course of its current inquiry that rural policy is not taken seriously enough across Government, and that this prevents the rural economy from reaching its full potential.

In its final evidence session on Tuesday, the Committee will question Mr Gove, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Lord Gardiner of Kimble, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, about the Government’s vision for the rural economy.

The Committee will probe Defra on what it is doing to support a thriving rural economy, including its approaches to rural policy and the effectiveness of its “rural proofing” checks on new policies.

Other issues the Committee are set to raise include:

* How can rural 'proofing' be made more effective, accountable and transparent?

* Defra has been criticised for paying too little attention to rural affairs compared to the time and resources it dedicates to agricultural and environmental issues. Is that a fair criticism?

* How is Defra working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that Local Enterprise Partnerships deliver for rural economies, particularly in their anticipated role leading on delivery of the Shared Prosperity Fund?

* How is Defra working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ensure that hard-to-reach areas are prioritised for full fibre roll out and 5G mobile connections?

The evidence session will begin at 11.30am on Tuesday in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords.