Shropshire MPs' column - the latest from the county's representatives in Westminster

A fairer deal for our hard-working farmers, a bold and radical initiative to clean up Shrewsbury, and a visit to one of our town’s brilliant primary schools…

Let’s start with the farmers. I’m proud to say I was one of the 46 Labour MPs who this week co-signed a letter to the ‘big six’ UK supermarkets, urging them to adopt a fairer deal for farmers.

Unfair practices by Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Lidl and Aldi have been hitting our farmers and growers. It’s been going on for years, and it’s been unchallenged for too long.

In our letter, we’ve highlighted that over the last year alone, the ‘big six’ supermarkets made a combined total pre-tax profit of more than £5billion, yet a typical 200-acre arable family farm in the UK makes just £27,300 in profit.

Unfair practices by the supermarkets are creating a farming industry that is struggling, and forcing too many farmers and growers to rely on subsidies from government.

It can’t be seen as right or fair that farmers often receive 1p profit from the food they produce, whilst at the same time supermarkets are making excessive profits. This really needs to be put right.

● A radical initiative to clean up Shrewsbury: I was delighted this week to signal my whole-hearted support for a bold move by Shrewsbury Town Council to improve, supplement and support the delivery of a range of Shropshire Council services.

This exciting ‘Stepping Up’ plan will see the town council creating an entirely new and dedicated Neighbourhood Team that will tackle dirty streets, graffiti, flyposting, fly-tipping, inadequate litter bins, and neglected and untidy green spaces. 

This new team will step in and be much more responsive and will be best placed to get jobs done as quickly as possible.

The new team will also focus on public safety and community engagement across Shrewsbury, all of which has to be great for our wonderful town.

● Little People, Big Dreams: What a great pleasure it was to visit Bowbrook Primary School in the west of the town and meet the children and hear about their big dreams. 

Some wanted to be nurses, some wanted to be doctors. I’m not sure any wanted to be an MP though! 

My visit was part of the school’s Little People, Big Dreams Week, and it was truly inspiring to hear of the kids’ ambitions.

I spoke to the children about my role as Shrewsbury’s MP and I also answered some fantastic questions from the kids such as – Did you want to do this when you were a kid?”

● Please do get in touch if you have any issues I can help with. Telephone 01743 650434. Or email Julia.buckley.mp@parliament.uk

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