I've joined colleagues in signing a letter to the Home Secretary urging the government to rethink its proposed 245% increase in shotgun certificate fees.
The letter, led by Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp MP and Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, describes the increases as excessive and unjustified. The Labour Government plans to raise fees by 4.5 times the rate of inflation since 2015, putting further financial strain on rural communities.
A shotgun certificate grant is set to rise from £79.50 to £194 while a renewal will jump from £49 to £126.
These steep increases will hit rural communities like North Yorkshire hard, adding unnecessary costs to those who rely on shooting for work and sport. The government must reconsider these excessive rises.
Chris Philp MP added:
"These are hugely exorbitant increases that will put pressure on hundreds of thousands of people in rural communities who have already suffered under this government’s choices."
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP said:
"This is yet another attack on rural communities following on from the family farm tax. These increases have been imposed without consultation and are completely unacceptable."
The letter calls on the Home Secretary to review the proposed fee increases and ensure police forces provide an efficient licensing service.
