Government statement to support rural communities – June 23
Julia Trapp
posted on 9th June 2023
The Government has set out to fund £7 million in order to support rural communities, in an article published on 6th June 2023. The fund aims to support farmers and tourism business in the area of satellite, wireless and fixed line connectivity, in a push to connect remote areas. Examples explored in the article published include drone technology, as a method of monitoring crops and livestock, interactive experiences, aimed at the tourism industry, as well as landscape and wildlife conservation efforts.
Earlier this year, the Government also promised that up to 35,000 homes and businesses in remote areas of the UK will be provided with high-speed broadband via satellite connectivity, through an £8 million grant scheme in order to support those living in the more remote areas. This recently announced commitment of a £7 million fund to support rural communities has been announced to work alongside this earlier promise of £8 million, which is one of many plans the government is putting into place in order to boost rural communities in areas from housing, transport, digital connectivity and jobs. Government recognises that the rural areas of the country contribute 15% to England’s economy, £250 billion of the national GDP, which the programme sets to increase.
To increase affordable housing in rural areas, a network of new “Rural Housing Enablers” will act as honest brokers, backed by £2.5 million of funding in order to identify areas with the local support for development. Farmers’ ability to change redundant agricultural buildings into family homes will be assessed by Government in due course, which could result in changing of planning rules to also provide safeguarding against second homes as well as holiday lets, controlled by the local authorities.
The Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, acknowledged the potential of the UK’s rural areas, highlighting how the government is “committed to making sure that the needs of people and businesses in rural areas are at the heart of policymaking”, and that the upcoming further support to those in rural areas will allow for the desirable, sustainable future to be built, supporting and developing rural communities and new initiatives.
The plan promised by Government is divided into four themes: housing, communities, connectivity and growth. Through this plan, jobs will emerge in rural locations, which will subsequently drive the growth in said areas. The plan also includes proposals to consult on further steps to provide fixed wireless access and satellite services to remote areas, improve transport networks via a Future of Transport Rural Strategy, review the measurement of deprivation, as well as but not limited to the support of electricity infrastructure in rural areas. The commitment to build more affordable housing in the UK is supported by £11.5 billion which is set to be invested over the next five years.
The action plan announced includes a £7 million fund in order to support the rural areas and communities of the UK, which have been recognised as the “backbone” of the country, by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Chloe Smith. A combination of satellite, wireless and fixed-line connectivity will further boost the connectivity of farmers and rural areas, creating new opportunities for individuals in remote, rural areas which will encourage growth for the future. Government promises to continue and increase the support they provide to the people of the UK, and ensures that rural communities’ interests are central in this promise in order to grow and strengthen the economy and our communities.
The statement published is a development of DEFRA, where upcoming plans for the future are assessed to ensure support is provided to the rural communities of the UK. The next rural profiling report will be published later this year.
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Julia looks after all of our marketing communications, printed material, design, branding, publications, digital marketing and advertising. She has worked across a number of industries in marketing roles and outside of work, if usually found on a netball court or coaching from the side lines.
