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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/16/rural-affairs-voice-for--countryside-communities
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| It’s not just farms and the environment. We need polices for everyone | |
| (2 days later) | |
| The countryside plays a crucial part in the economic and social wellbeing of the nation. The 12 national organisations that make up the Rural Coalition share a vision for a living and working English countryside and a concern for its communities’ future sustainability. | The countryside plays a crucial part in the economic and social wellbeing of the nation. The 12 national organisations that make up the Rural Coalition share a vision for a living and working English countryside and a concern for its communities’ future sustainability. |
| Many rural areas have faced cuts to important services and facilities resulting from public sector austerity and private sector efficiency savings; there is a severe shortage of affordable housing for those on low incomes; and support for rural businesses is patchy. Countryside issues are not always properly understood by policy-makers and service providers. | Many rural areas have faced cuts to important services and facilities resulting from public sector austerity and private sector efficiency savings; there is a severe shortage of affordable housing for those on low incomes; and support for rural businesses is patchy. Countryside issues are not always properly understood by policy-makers and service providers. |
| These problems are not new, but Brexit has highlighted the risk that rural areas are seen solely in terms of agriculture and the natural environment. That is an over-simplification. Rural economies and communities are diverse and their needs must be addressed in Brexit negotiations and future policies. Government sets the policy and funding framework nationally and all Whitehall departments need to rural-proof their Brexit preparations and post-Brexit work to make sure they meet countryside circumstances and needs. | These problems are not new, but Brexit has highlighted the risk that rural areas are seen solely in terms of agriculture and the natural environment. That is an over-simplification. Rural economies and communities are diverse and their needs must be addressed in Brexit negotiations and future policies. Government sets the policy and funding framework nationally and all Whitehall departments need to rural-proof their Brexit preparations and post-Brexit work to make sure they meet countryside circumstances and needs. |
| The Rural Coalition also believes that their communities deserve a more equitable share of public resources. They have historically received less funding per capita and it is important that future funding regimes, including those for local government, education and the NHS, properly reflect the challenges of rural service delivery. | The Rural Coalition also believes that their communities deserve a more equitable share of public resources. They have historically received less funding per capita and it is important that future funding regimes, including those for local government, education and the NHS, properly reflect the challenges of rural service delivery. |
| In addition, those delivering the services need to recognise the difficulties faced by consumers in reaching the facilities they need, especially in light of cuts to bus services in country areas and rising costs. | In addition, those delivering the services need to recognise the difficulties faced by consumers in reaching the facilities they need, especially in light of cuts to bus services in country areas and rising costs. |
| Businesses based in the countryside already make a significant contribution to the national economy – there are over half a million registered businesses in rural England, employing some 3.5 million people and with an annual turnover of £400bn – but they need better access to business support and infrastructure, such as high-quality connectivity to broadband and mobile networks, particularly when important European funding programmes for rural businesses are withdrawn. The government needs to make sure that its future industrial strategy helps to release the potential of non-urban areas, too. | Businesses based in the countryside already make a significant contribution to the national economy – there are over half a million registered businesses in rural England, employing some 3.5 million people and with an annual turnover of £400bn – but they need better access to business support and infrastructure, such as high-quality connectivity to broadband and mobile networks, particularly when important European funding programmes for rural businesses are withdrawn. The government needs to make sure that its future industrial strategy helps to release the potential of non-urban areas, too. |
| Over the years, country communities have shown a great deal of initiative and resilience. The growth of community-owned businesses, such as shops and pubs, has demonstrated this. Yet, action like this needs support and encouragement, through access to professional advice and sharing good practice. | Over the years, country communities have shown a great deal of initiative and resilience. The growth of community-owned businesses, such as shops and pubs, has demonstrated this. Yet, action like this needs support and encouragement, through access to professional advice and sharing good practice. |
| Most would agree that the single most pressing problem facing rural communities at the moment is the lack of affordable housing. House prices in many countryside areas are out of the reach of those on local wages; in 2016, even the cheapest homes in these parts cost nearly nine times the earnings of those on the lowest incomes. Yet, there is much less social rented housing available than in urban areas. That is why the Rural Coalition is calling for a meaningful increase in affordable housing for its communities, with an ambitious target for its delivery. | Most would agree that the single most pressing problem facing rural communities at the moment is the lack of affordable housing. House prices in many countryside areas are out of the reach of those on local wages; in 2016, even the cheapest homes in these parts cost nearly nine times the earnings of those on the lowest incomes. Yet, there is much less social rented housing available than in urban areas. That is why the Rural Coalition is calling for a meaningful increase in affordable housing for its communities, with an ambitious target for its delivery. |
| Although the Rural Coalition’s recent policy statement was directed mainly at government, since its action and lead is crucial, others at all levels, in public, private and voluntary sectors, have a responsibility to ensure that their policies and practice are rural-proofed. | Although the Rural Coalition’s recent policy statement was directed mainly at government, since its action and lead is crucial, others at all levels, in public, private and voluntary sectors, have a responsibility to ensure that their policies and practice are rural-proofed. |
| Above all, the Rural Coalition wants a Brexit deal and a domestic policy agenda that works for all those living in England’s countryside areas. | Above all, the Rural Coalition wants a Brexit deal and a domestic policy agenda that works for all those living in England’s countryside areas. |
| Margaret Clark is chair of the Rural Coalition | Margaret Clark is chair of the Rural Coalition |
| Rural affairs | Rural affairs |
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| Farming | Farming |
| Brexit | Brexit |
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