Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown speaks in a debate on local government finance highlighting the need for financial efficiency and the need for rural councils to receive fair funding. He also raises concerns about the backlog in local government audits and calls for urgent improvements, and seeks clarity on the timetable for restructuring of two-tier councils.

Following the Government statement on devolution in England and local government reorganisation Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown asks for a clear timetable for two-tier counties such as Gloucestershire as to when they are expected to provide proposals on any wish to change, and confirmation that the county council elected in May this year will serve a full four-year term of office.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown highlights the record backlog of 73,000 in the Crown courts and that rape cases are not being prosecuted for three or four years and asks what the Justice Secretary is doing to speed up the whole system.

Following the Government's statement on plans for local government reorganisation, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown asks the Minister to clarify when a decision will be made regarding the Gloucestershire County Council elections that are due to take place in May.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown welcomes the deal to repurchase the MOD housing estate from Annington and asks if the Treasury are providing the further funds needed to pump-prime the housing refurbishments so desperately needed by our armed forces.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown highlights the impact of the Budget on farming and urges the Government to reverse their changes to inheritance tax which will result in many family farms having to be sold. He raises his concerns about the decrease in investment in the agricultural sector, as well as the number of jobs that might be lost if the Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) goes ahead.

Following the Government’s response to an Urgent Question on the Budget’s impact on farming communities, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown confronts the Minister with a heartfelt plea he received from a 75-year-old farmer who is angry that this Budget has, in his words, “destroyed everything I have ever worked for.”

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown criticises raising taxes and borrowing by a staggering £40 billion each; with increases in inheritance tax, capital gains tax, mortgages, stamp duty, and employment costs. He raises real concerns that proposed changes to agricultural and business property relief will significantly impact farmers and rural communities, leading to the fragmentation of family farms and changes to national insurance will make it harder for small businesses to grow.

Speaking during Business Questions, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown calls on Parliament to urgently make the necessary decisions on the restoration and renewal project of the historic Houses of Parliament buildings as ongoing maintenance costs are running at £2 million a week.