RICHMOND MP Rishi Sunak has joined the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs Select (EFRA) Committee in the House of Commons.

The select committee is a small cross-party body of MPs devoted to rural issues and farming and tasked with holding the government to account.

The newly-elected EFRA select committee chairman, former dairy farmer, Neil Parish, said: “I am delighted Rishi will bring his knowledge from a deeply rural constituency with two national parks to the committee.

"His presence will ensure the experience of North Yorkshire’s farmers and rural communities will play a key part in scrutinising government policy.”

During the last parliament, the committee produced reports on supporting market towns, rural broadband, the dairy industry and winter flooding - issues which have impacted on the lives of Yorkshire Dales residents.

Mr Sunak appeared recently on the BBC’s Daily Politics program and set out his desire as MP to be a champion for the countryside and those living in rural areas.

He said: “A huge part of what I want to do as MP for Richmond is to help our rural economy thrive.

"I am privileged and honoured to get involved in pushing the government as much as I can to do what is right for our rural communities - cutting red tape, fighting for our farmers and campaigning for further roll out of broadband.”