WIREDGOV

We welcome the EFRA Committee’s report and recommendations for government to strengthen their approach to prioritising, delivering and monitoring activity for England’s rural economies. This is particularly important and relevant given the current economic climate.

Rural areas show considerable signs of strength and potential for growth, but rural firms and communities face substantial challenges that need attention and resources from across government and regional agencies.

A more pro-active approach to rural proofing and mainstreaming rural into business support, transport, training, housing, communications and investment programmes is critical to releasing the potential of our rural economies. The EFRA Committee’s recommendations offer valuable encouragement to government to adopt this approach.

The report makes several specific proposals where the CRC can help Defra strengthen government action for rural economies. We’re working to build these stronger relations and support other government departments and agencies, RDAs, local authorities and rural communities themselves.

Rural economies and communities can achieve much more if they have strong champions at the heart of government, able to secure recognition across the public sector for their contribution to national and regional economies.

This is a critical first step to secure attention and resources that will enable them to release their unfulfilled potential.