THE organisation, which represents thousands of landowners, farmers and rural businesses throughout the north, is urging ministers and MPs to take decisive action on rural broadband and reform how land is acquired for infrastructure projects.

The CLA is pressing ministers to act through the legislative programme to be announced in the Queen's Speech on May 27 and the Chancellor's budget statement on July 8.

CLA North regional director Dorothy Fairburn said: “The Conservative election campaign set expectations for action during the first 100 days of government and rural businesses will be looking for them to deliver. We are calling for the Government to deliver on three immediate priorities - a universal service obligation for broadband; a compulsory purchase regime that is fair to home and land owners; and an end to 'discrimination against family businesses'."