12 July 2024

The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

10 Downing Street

London

SW1A 2AA

Dear Prime Minister,

On behalf of the Rural Services Network (RSN), I extend our heartfelt congratulations on your recent appointment as Prime Minister. This is a pivotal moment for our nation, and we are eager to offer our support and collaborate with your government to unlock the immense potential of rural areas across England.

The RSN is the national champion for rural services, dedicated to advocating for the rights, needs, and potential of rural communities. With over 500 member organisations, we are committed to ensuring that rural voices are heard and that their unique challenges are addressed in national policy. Our mission is to promote fair funding, enhanced connectivity, and robust public services for rural areas.

Rural communities are dynamic hubs of innovation, culture, and economic promise. However, they have historically faced significant challenges such as underfunding, inadequate public services, and limited connectivity. We believe that by working together, we can drive substantial improvements in these areas, ensuring sustainable and thriving rural communities that contribute significantly to the nation's overall prosperity.

To coincide with your new government, we have launched our 'Delivering for Rural' campaign. This comprehensive roadmap outlines key policy recommendations to address the disparities in funding, connectivity, and services that rural communities face. Our goal is to ensure that rural areas receive the attention and resources they deserve.

We are confident that with your government's commitment to inclusive and balanced development, we can work towards policies that not only support urban centres but also recognise the essential role of rural areas in shaping a prosperous and resilient nation. The RSN stands ready to provide support, guidance, and expertise to both Ministers and MPs to ensure that they can listen to the needs of rural communities, understand the challenges they face, and take action to support their potential.

We are fully prepared to support your efforts in delivering for rural communities. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with your minsters to explore how we can collaborate to achieve meaningful progress. Please feel free to contact us to arrange a meeting or to discuss how we can assist further.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We are excited about the possibilities ahead and are ready to collaborate closely with your government to achieve our shared goals.

Yours sincerely,

Kerry Booth Chief Executive

Rural Services Network