"Fair play for farmers and affordable housing action should be in Queen's Speech" - Farron

3.00.00pm GMT Mon 5th Nov 2007

Local MP Tim Farron has today issued his wish-list for tomorrow's Queen's Speech, which includes an independent market regulator for the farming industry and action to curb excessive second home ownership. Tomorrow, the Queen will travel to parliament for the state opening of parliament and detail the legislative agenda for the next twelve months.

Alongside a strengthened Climate Change Bill, Tim Farron would like to see a number of other measures introduced:

An independent market regulator for the farming industry to ensure that supermarkets and other large processors do not exploit individual farmers by paying poverty rates.

More democracy in local health trusts so that they cannot ignore local public opinion.

Action to curb second home ownership by scrapping some of the proposed changes to capital gains tax and changing planning law.

Legislation to allow local authorities to take the lead in addressing the affordable housing crisis, enabling them to allow disused farm buildings to be more easily converted for affordable homes.

Scrapping the council tax in favour of a fairer local income tax.

Ahead of the Queen's Speech, Mr Farron said:

"Whilst I am pleased that a stronger Climate Change Bill looks likely to be proposed, I think there is so much more that we need to address. The farming industry has been appallingly badly treated in recent months after the foot and mouth outbreak this summer, we need an independent market regulator to ensure that farmers get a fair deal.

"In addition to this, there needs to be urgent action on housing. Excessive second home ownership is leading to virtual ghost towns in many parts of my constituency, and while the very wealthy can afford two homes, many people can't even afford one. My Home on the Farm idea would make easier for local authorities to grant planning permission for converting disused farm buildings into affordable housing."