10 Conclusion
245. We have set out to assess how effective
Defra and its Rural Communities Policy Unit have been at championing
rural issues across Government to achieve the "fair, practical
and affordable outcomes for rural residents, businesses and communities"
that was set out as a target for the RCPU when its creation was
announced to the House.[345]
The RCPU faces a difficult task if it is to meet this target.
Too often Government policy has failed to take account of the
challenges that exist in providing services to a rural population
that is often sparsely distributed and lacks access to basic infrastructure.
Across a wide range of areas—from local government funding
to access to broadband, from affordable housing to transport provision
and fuel—rural areas have found themselves disadvantaged
compared with their urban counterparts. On some of these issues
the Government is investing heavily to address the imbalance such
as in rolling out rural broadband, but in others, such as local
government funding, the Government could and should do better.
246. The demography of rural areas is changing.
Young people are moving to towns and cities in increasing numbers
with people of retirement age taking their place. This can present
opportunities—older residents are typically more likely
sit on parish councils and be involved in community projects and
third sector work, for example—but the loss of people of
working age and young families presents many challenges. How well
Government responds to the changing demography of rural areas
is crucial to ensuring their sustainability. The work of the RCPU
is a vital part of this policy response.
247. Analysis and monitoring of rural conditions
is an essential function of the RCPU and how well it presents
that data across government can be a crucial factor in shaping
policy. Throughout this inquiry we have been impressed by the
expertise and accessibility of the RCPU but we believe its impact
is constrained by a lack of resources. It is disappointing the
RCPU operates with significantly less resources than the CRC,
from whose abolition it was partly created.
248. The CRC had a statutory remit to act as
an adviser, advocate and watchdog to Government over issues of
disadvantage in rural communities. Such a focus must not be lost
with its demise. As the recent Ofsted report on the achievement
of the poorest children in education makes clear, areas where
the most disadvantaged children are being let down by the education
system are no longer deprived inner city areas; instead the focus
has shifted to deprived coastal towns and rural, less populous
regions of the country.[346]
Oftsed chief inspector Michael Wilshaw commented at the launch
of the report that:
Often they are spread thinly, as an "invisible
minority" across areas that are relatively affluent. We need
new policies and approaches to deal with underachievement in these
areas.[347]
249. This supports the evidence we received.
Cllr Begy considered that Government needs to recognise "that
there is deprivation outside of urban areas [...] we have less
major, identifiable pockets of deprivation. We have that same
deprivation".[348]
It is encouraging to see poverty and deprivation recognised in
the Rural Statement despite the lack of targeted approaches to
combat them. In
response to this Report Defra must set out what steps it is taking
to combat poverty and deprivation in rural areas and how it is
ensuring that pockets of rural deprivation that might otherwise
be overlooked in official statistics are being recognised across
government.
250. Rural communities should not be seen as
helpless victims whose woes can only be solved by others. Many
of the most valuable initiatives to rural communities have started
within communities themselves rather than as a response to government
policy.[349] The
Government is devolving more powers to communities to enable them
to have greater influence over their future. We support these
moves and believe many rural communities are well placed to respond
but the Government must also ensure that those communities that
may lack the confidence and capacity to help themselves are provided
with the support to do so.
251. In 2007, the CRC considered the untapped
economic potential of rural areas might be worth £347 million
if more policies supported rural economic development. The Government
has clearly recognised this and has specific policy measures in
place aimed at growing the rural economy. For those policies to
be successful a number of barriers to growth need to be overcome,
primarily access to finance and effective broadband. The roll-out
of broadband is under-way but the impact of efforts to increase
access to finance for rural businesses is less clear. The Government
needs to ensure that initiatives that offer support to businesses,
such as the proposed business bank and the Single Local Growth
Fund, are as available to rural businesses as they are to their
urban counterparts.
252. In this Report we focus on those areas where
policy intervention has been lacking or is insufficient. We do
not wish to give the impression that rural areas are not wonderful
places in which to live. According to the latest Countryside Living
Index 31% of people in rural communities profess to 'loving' their
neighbourhood compared with 16% of city dwellers. Positives for
rural living include the quality of the environment, a greater
sense of community and a healthier lifestyle.
253. Rural areas have much to contribute to the
financial and spiritual well-being of the country. The task for
Defra and the Rural Communities Policy Unit is to ensure they
have the means to achieve this. While our Report is to Defra our
conclusions and recommendations are for the whole of Government.
Defra should take the lead in coordinating and producing a government
response that includes feedback from the relevant departments
where appropriate to do so.
345 HC Deb, 1 April 2011, col 41WS Back
346
Ofsted, Unseen children: access and achievement 20 years on,
June 2013 Back
347
Ofsted press release, Too many of England's poorest children continue
to be let down by the education system, 20 June 2013 Back
348
Q 330 Back
349
Ev w7 [Quantera Ltd] Back
| 
