The House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy has
called for the Government to develop a Rural Strategy for the
rural economy to address rural challenges and realise the
potential of rural economies.
With a vast range of rural businesses and initiatives, and new
sectors growing fast, rural economies are increasingly diverse,
dynamic and vibrant. But successive governments have underrated
the contribution rural economies can make to the nation’s
prosperity and wellbeing. They have applied policies largely
devised for urban and suburban economies which are often
inappropriate for rural England which has led to challenges
including:
- Housing – lack of affordable and suitable housing stock
- Transport – reduced public transport services exacerbating
unemployment, crime and isolation
- Skills shortages – mismatch of business opportunities and
available labour
- Commercial challenges – from inadequate IT infrastructure to
inadequate access to finance and support
- Decline of accessible services including banks, healthcare,
school social service and shops
The Committee’s proposals have 3 linked elements: a coherent
rural strategy, re-energised rural proofing and a “place based”
approach which reflects the diversity of the countryside and the
capabilities and knowledge of those who live and work there. The
report’s recommendations also include measures to improve rural
connectivity, business support, the planning system, training
arrangement, service provision such as health and education and
much more.
Comparing the development of the envisaged Rural Strategy with
that for the recent industrial strategy, the committee stresses
while Government must take the lead, there must be involvement
and “buy-in” from local government and other public bodies such
as Local Enterprise Partnerships who should also develop their
own local rural strategies that consistent with the national
framework.
The Committee believes that no one should be at a disadvantage
because of where they live. If the potential of the rural economy
is to be realised, a new framework is needed urgently to
transform the way national and local governments and public
bodies think about rural policy-making.
This strategy would ensure that rural communities are treated
fairly and would ensure that there is:
- High-quality support for rural business, including access to
finance and advice;
- Efficient and reliable public and private transport networks,
and other infrastructure;
- Plentiful local employment opportunities, and a skilled
workforce for rural employers;
- Good and accessible public services including health and
education.
, Chairman of the
Committee, said:
“Rural communities and the economies in them have been ignored
and underrated for too long. We must act now to reverse this
trend, but we can no longer allow the clear inequalities between
the urban and rural to continue unchecked. A rural strategy would
address challenges and realise potential in struggling and
under-performing areas, and all vibrant and thriving areas to
develop further. Doing nothing is not an option.
