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| Owen Paterson unveils 'rural contract' designed to drive economic growth | Owen Paterson unveils 'rural contract' designed to drive economic growth |
| (21 days later) | |
| The first "contract" between rural England and the government has pledged to drive economic growth in country areas by delivering superfast broadband and supporting business to create new jobs. | The first "contract" between rural England and the government has pledged to drive economic growth in country areas by delivering superfast broadband and supporting business to create new jobs. |
| "Rural economic growth is vital for this country," said environment secretary, Owen Paterson, in his first statement since taking the post after the government's recent reshuffle. | "Rural economic growth is vital for this country," said environment secretary, Owen Paterson, in his first statement since taking the post after the government's recent reshuffle. |
| "The government's role is ensure that rural areas have all the infrastructure they need to grow. Businesses should then be free from the unnecessary government red tape that has got in the way of rural economic growth in the past." | "The government's role is ensure that rural areas have all the infrastructure they need to grow. Businesses should then be free from the unnecessary government red tape that has got in the way of rural economic growth in the past." |
| The 20-page rural statement published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), sets out the government's measures to boost rural business in order, say ministers, to enable communities to hold them to account. | The 20-page rural statement published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), sets out the government's measures to boost rural business in order, say ministers, to enable communities to hold them to account. |
| Harry Cotterell, president of the Country Land & Business Association, welcomed the statement: "Long-term sustainability and the competitiveness of rural businesses are crucial in the present economic climate. It is vital Defra understands the needs and interests of rural businesses as well as those who live and work in rural areas." | Harry Cotterell, president of the Country Land & Business Association, welcomed the statement: "Long-term sustainability and the competitiveness of rural businesses are crucial in the present economic climate. It is vital Defra understands the needs and interests of rural businesses as well as those who live and work in rural areas." |
| Rural campaigners also welcomed the statement but said they were disappointed by the sidelining of environmental issues. "As with much of current government thinking, the statement is limited by its assumption that economic development is unrelated to the natural environment," said Neil Sinden, director of policy and campaigns at the Campaign to Protect Rural England. "Only by putting the environment at the centre of measures to achieve social and economic progress will the government help to support a sustainable future for rural areas." | Rural campaigners also welcomed the statement but said they were disappointed by the sidelining of environmental issues. "As with much of current government thinking, the statement is limited by its assumption that economic development is unrelated to the natural environment," said Neil Sinden, director of policy and campaigns at the Campaign to Protect Rural England. "Only by putting the environment at the centre of measures to achieve social and economic progress will the government help to support a sustainable future for rural areas." |
| Nearly 10 million people – 20% of England's population – live in rural areas, which make up 86% of the area of the country and 28% of the nation's businesses. The statement includes measures for farming, forestry, holiday homes, rural post offices and village pubs, as well as the broadband internet programme. On Wednesday, Paterson visited Garsdale and Dentdale in Cumbria, one of the first communities to be given funding for superfast fibreoptic broadband from the government's £20m rural community broadband fund. | Nearly 10 million people – 20% of England's population – live in rural areas, which make up 86% of the area of the country and 28% of the nation's businesses. The statement includes measures for farming, forestry, holiday homes, rural post offices and village pubs, as well as the broadband internet programme. On Wednesday, Paterson visited Garsdale and Dentdale in Cumbria, one of the first communities to be given funding for superfast fibreoptic broadband from the government's £20m rural community broadband fund. |
| The culture secretary, Maria Miller, said: "Superfast broadband is key to the economic prosperity of rural communities. The government is investing £680 million in delivering the best broadband in Europe - and we are slashing red tape to get the programme moving quickly." | The culture secretary, Maria Miller, said: "Superfast broadband is key to the economic prosperity of rural communities. The government is investing £680 million in delivering the best broadband in Europe - and we are slashing red tape to get the programme moving quickly." |
| Prof Mark Shucksmith, director of the Newcastle Institute for Social Renewal, said the statement was a welcome reassertion of the coalition government's commitment to rural communities. "However, there is an air of unreality about this account in the face of what rural people are currently experiencing. Services are under great pressure as council budgets are subject to major cuts." | Prof Mark Shucksmith, director of the Newcastle Institute for Social Renewal, said the statement was a welcome reassertion of the coalition government's commitment to rural communities. "However, there is an air of unreality about this account in the face of what rural people are currently experiencing. Services are under great pressure as council budgets are subject to major cuts." |
| Mary Creagh, Labour's shadow environment secretary, said: "People in rural areas are feeling the impact of this weak and incompetent government's failed economic plan. We a need plan B for the countryside to tackle the rural cost of living crisis, protect buses and social services, and invest in green jobs and growth." | Mary Creagh, Labour's shadow environment secretary, said: "People in rural areas are feeling the impact of this weak and incompetent government's failed economic plan. We a need plan B for the countryside to tackle the rural cost of living crisis, protect buses and social services, and invest in green jobs and growth." |
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