A long-awaited response is expected this autumn to a major report examining the impact of government policies on rural communities.

Almost eight months has passed since the publication of an independent review examining how the government ensures rural issues are included in its policies and programmes.

The 'independent rural-proofing implementation review' report by Lord Cameron was published on 30 January 2015.

The review assessed how well government departments were including rural issues in policy making and decision taking – a process known as rural proofing.

The document highlighted some important areas where simple changes can be made to strengthen rural proofing efforts.

It included a call for the government to set up a 'rural proofing forum' to share best practice across departments and ensure rural needs were taken into account.

Lord Cameron and his review team were commissioned by Defra to conduct the review. But the government has yet to respond to its findings.

The lack of a response was highlighted in the House of Lords by the Bishop of St Albans, who asked what progress had been made in implementing the report's recommendations.

The Bishop also asked when the government expected to report fully on that progress.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Lord Gardiner of Kimble said ministers were "currently carefully considering the recommendations" made in the review.

He added: "The government response will be published in the autumn."