New government report outlines plan

for better public services in rural areas

The Future of Rural England report, drafted by the Rural Taskforce, has identified six themes critical to thriving, inclusive and sustainable rural communities: economic growth and productivity; infrastructure and housing; skills and education; health and wellbeing; safety and community resilience; and connectivity.

A new cross-government board will put rural needs at the heart of major policies to help unlock rural potential, with annual public reporting on progress, marking a decisive shift to proactive, joined-up working across government.

With more than half a million small and medium-sized businesses driving manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and renewable energy, rural England contributes over £259 billion to the economy and potential for growth is huge.

Yet rural communities have long been held back by a unique set of challenges: from transport and digital connectivity barriers to hidden health inequalities and a lack of affordable housing.

The report was commissioned to change this. It recommends a more proactive approach that places rural communities at the centre of decision-making.

Embedding rural proofing across government, ensuring all departments systematically assess real-world impacts on rural communities in policy and investment decisions, so they achieve their intended outcomes for the 9.7 million people who call rural England home.

Corinne Pluchino, Chief Executive, Action with Communities in Rural England, said: “ACRE welcomes the Future of Rural England Report and was pleased to contribute to the Rural Taskforce, which provided a valuable forum to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing rural communities across government.

“The report sets out clear actions, and we welcome the clear commitment to measure delivery and increase accountability, including a cross-government board to review the effectiveness of rural proofing and new metrics to monitor the sustainability and resilience of rural communities.

“We are also pleased to see the commitment to ensure that rural communities can engage with and benefit from the plans for devolution.

“ACRE and the ACRE Network look forward to working with Defra and across government to make sure these actions lead to tangible improvements for rural England, so local communities have the services and resources they need to secure equitable outcomes for everyone, and particularly those in greatest need.”

Emma Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “Rural England already contributes more than £259 billion to our economy, is home to more than half a million businesses and has huge potential for growth”.

“Nobody understands rural England better than the communities themselves.

“By embedding rural voices in the daily work of policy design and delivery across government, we are helping unlock rural communities’ potential by making sure they have the faster broadband, reliable transport, affordable homes and the local healthcare that they need to thrive”.

Joe Evans, Deputy President, The Country Land and Business Association, said: “The CLA welcomes today’s Future of Rural England report and its focus on embedding rural proofing across government.

“Only through a joined-up approach, with departments working together, can the full potential of the rural economy be unlocked.

“The challenge now is turning these recommendations into action. That means delivering affordable rural housing, improving digital connectivity and transforming our approach to planning so that it becomes an enabler, as opposed to a blocker.

“As devolution is rolled out, government must also ensure rural communities are not left behind. Getting this right is fundamental to closing the productivity gap, unlocking billions of pounds of economic growth and creating a thriving countryside.”

The government has made a commitment not to leave rural England behind, and has a clear goal for producing well-connected communities, who feel supported to reach their full potential, with access to opportunities and public services they can rely on, and the confidence to plan and invest for the future.

The approach is already delivering results on the ground.

Around 17 per cent of public electric vehicle chargers in England and Wales are now located in rural areas, closely matching the rural share of the population, and ensuring no community is left behind as the country transitions to cleaner transport.

“We look forward to working with the government to make sure these actions lead to improvements, so local communities have the services and resources they need to secure equitable outcomes.”

Corinne Pluchino,
Chief Executive