Defra task force to champion rural issues

Defra is to establish an online data site bringing together statistics and rural evidence from government departments to ensure policies deliver for rural businesses in the countryside.

The department is also creating a rural ambassador role operating across Whitehall and will ensure that ministers represent rural issues on cross-departmental taskforces on issues such as broadband and housing.

Responding to Lord Cameron’s review on “rural proofing”, environment secretary Liz Truss promised that Defra would improve guidance on rural proofing and sharing research and expertise and that the Cabinet Office would have oversight of the issue.

Ms Truss said: “Defra’s ministers will continue to champion rural communities across government. We are working to ensure people living in rural communities have the same opportunities as those in towns and cities.”

It follows the publication in the summer of the government’s first Rural Productivity Plan, which looked at boosting rural infrastructure, connectivity, education and skills.

Lord Cameron’s report had highlighted that just over half the policy impact assessments studied in 12 Whitehall departments had failed to consider rural proofing of rural issues. But he said he was pleased with Defra’s response, particularly regarding the Cabinet Office’s new role.

Response to the government’s announcement has been mixed. The Country Land & Business Association (CLA) highlighted the need for better rural proofing in a number of areas:

• The government’s Digital by Default policy: The CLA is concerned that this will increasingly affect members tax returns and Basic Payment Scheme applications
• Anaerobic digester incentivisation: CLA has fears that the Department of Energy and Climate Change puts too much emphasis on energy generation without considering environmental benefits
• Compulsory Purchase and compensation mechanisms – CLA members and others in the rural community, unlike residential property owners in urban areas, do not have the option to sell up and move to another location and fail to take account of conservation issues.
• President Ross Murray said: “The CLA will be working with Defra to keep issues affecting the countryside at the front if mind in all government departments.”

Shaun Spiers, Campaign to Protect Rural England chief executive, supported the initiative but said a Ministers should row back on plans to extend right to buy powers to housing associations in rural areas.

“Until the government gives proper consideration to the implications for rural areas of the right to buy, I will find it hard to take seriously its commitment to rural proofing.”

Tim Bonner, Countryside Alliance chief executive, said that for far too long government policy had failed to acknowledge the unique nature of rural communities: “The problems in rural areas are often the same as urban areas but the solutions required are different and need to reflect the specific challenges of delivering services to the countryside.”

The NFU welcomed a long overdue move to ensure rural issues are at the heart of government decision-making. “We emphasise that this should include the farming economy and farming communities,” a statement said.