A member of parliament has voiced worries about the reduction of pubs in rural parts of the country.

The MP for Horsham and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rural Business raised the issue with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

He highlighted the wider effects on community life and pushed for targeted support to stop further decline of rural settlements.

The MP stated that village venues like pubs act as important meeting places for local communities.

He explained that when these businesses cease trading, people lose vital access to services and local support networks, particularly older and more vulnerable residents and those living in dispersed areas.

He said rural businesses are facing collapse because of business rates, higher National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage rise all happening together, making it even harder for them to survive.

He said the government must acknowledge that rural communities face unique challenges, and without dedicated support and a fair funding system that works properly, more villages will be affected.

Recent figures show that 366 pubs closed in 2025, with industry projections suggesting up to 540 could shut during this year.

The MP said the closure of pubs and other local businesses is increasing isolation in rural areas and reducing access to basic amenities.

He also criticized what he described as a gap in the government’s Fair Funding Review concerning its impact on rural areas, and called for better support for community-owned ventures.

While the government has maintained its approach, pointing out that it uses deprivation data and a rural indicator to distribute funding, the MP along with organisations including the Rural Services Network and Plunkett UK argue this does not sufficiently reflect the higher costs of delivering services in countryside locations.

They warned about a growing funding gap and unequal support for essential services such as education and road upkeep.