20 Oct 2026
Devolution could bring significant benefits to rural England, but fair funding and stronger rural representation must be part of its foundations, a new report warns.
Published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Rural Business and the Rural Powerhouse, Devolution and Its Impact on Rural Areas makes 21 recommendations to ensure rural communities and businesses benefit as powers move away from Westminster.
The inquiry, supported by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), draws on evidence from councils, businesses and rural organisations, including the Rural Services Network.
Fair Funding Remains Essential
The report highlights the higher cost of providing services across large rural areas, where staff must travel further between homes and communities.
It cites RSN evidence that urban councils receive around 32% more government-funded spending power per person than rural councils in 2026–27.
RSN Chief Executive Kerry Booth contributed evidence to the inquiry, explaining how distance and dispersed populations increase the costs of services such as refuse collection. The report warns that existing funding pressures could also limit rural councils’ ability to benefit from devolution.
What Does The Report Recommend?
Its proposals include:
- Mandatory rural proofing, with rural impact assessments and a dedicated Rural Commissioner.
- Guaranteed rural representation within new governance structures, alongside Rural Business Boards.
- Fairer funding formulas that recognise rural service costs, remoteness and dispersed deprivation.
- A comprehensive rural housing strategy, supported by stronger planning capacity and better coordination of infrastructure.
- Support during reorganisation, to retain rural expertise and help councils manage the transition.
The report also calls for longer-term funding settlements and less reliance on competitive bidding.
An Opportunity To Strengthen Rural Services
For rural communities, decisions about transport, housing, skills and investment need to reflect the places they serve.
The findings reinforce the importance of RSN’s work on fair funding and rural service delivery. As devolution develops, rural communities need both a meaningful say in decisions and the resources to turn local priorities into action.
