RURAL NEGLECT
Sir, It is deeply disappointing that the government has rejected the Lords rural economy committee’s recommendation for a comprehensive rural strategy to ensure the future sustainability of England’s countryside, despite the wealth of evidence from expert witnesses underlining the case for such action. While we welcome the government’s recognition that more needs to be done, overall the failure to put in place a robust and properly funded rural strategy constitutes a worrying missed opportunity and risks a continuation of the status quo.

It is absolutely essential that the current inadequate and piecemeal method of delivery, inequality of funding and poor “rural-proofing” of policymaking is overhauled. A robust, open and accountable rural-proofing framework across all government departments would ensure that the needs of rural residents are considered and met by all, from the Treasury to the Department for Transport.

Yet again the government’s attitude towards rural communities has left people feeling frustrated and ignored. The new prime minister must make good on promises to protect and unlock the potential of a valuable and significant proportion of England’s population.


Graham Biggs, Chief executive, Rural Services Network; The Rt Rev Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans, President, Rural Coalition; The Rt Rev Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ely; David Drew MP, Shadow minister, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Baroness Bakewell, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Defra in the Lords; Lord Ewen Cameron, (Cross-Bencher), Former Rural Advocate; Professor Richard Parish, Chairman National Centre for Rural Health & Care; Martin Collett, Chairman Rural Housing Alliance; Margaret Clark, Chairwomen Plunkett Foundation