At the moment the countryside is going through its worst crisis since the 1930s

Archie Norman

Mr Prescott is likely to argue that giving local authorities the discretion to abolish the current discount on second homes will protect village life.

Such a move would cost a quarter of a million second home owners an average of about �350 a year.

Any money saved by local authorities may then be ring-fenced for council services or social housing schemes.

Affordable housing

Other housing measures could include a requirement on the part of developers of smaller estates to ensure that they build affordable housing for local people.

The price and shortage of affordable housing in rural locations is often blamed for the break-up of local communities.

Farmers - many of whom have seen their profits plummet in recent years - may benefit from the opportunity to diversify their businesses.

Farmers have been at the fore front of the fuel protests

Among the likely proposals are a relaxation of planning rules on their property so they can develop sidelines such as equestrian centres.

Common land may also feature in the white paper, with legislation to protect areas of open spaces that, although protected by ancient laws, have in recent years faced a decline.

The white paper comes two weeks after the government announced measures to regenerate inner-city areas and may have a crucial effect on the fortunes of the many Labour MPs elected in 1997 who hold marginal rural or semi-rural seats.

Time for vision

Speaking ahead of the announcement Archie Norman, Mr Prescott's Conservative opposite number, said the white paper must address the "guts" of the crisis in the countryside.

Crime was rising in rural areas more quickly than in towns, while many farmers were being driven out of business, he said.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "At the moment the countryside is going through its worst crisis since the 1930s."

Mr Norman added that it was time that Mr Prescott showed "a clear vision for working, living rural life in the future" and called for a "cut in fuel duty and an increase in visible rural policing".

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said that the countryside should be represented in Cabinet by a secretary of state for rural affairs.

The suggestion is one of several policies aimed to help people in rural communities to be put forward by the Lib Dems in their alternative Queen's Speech next week.