Today's spending review announcement could herald a welcome boost for rural people and businesses - as it specifically addresses rural issues for the first time.
Countryside Agency Archive

Breadcrumbs

Spending Review - rural proofed for first time - 15 July 2002

Today's spending review announcement could herald a welcome boost for rural people and businesses - as it specifically addresses rural issues for the first time.

Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency and rural advocate, congratulated the Treasury for rural proofing the 2002 Spending Review. He said: "In the Countryside Agency's first annual rural proofing report, I said it would be critical to secure rural priorities within the 2002 Spending Review, so rural people benefited fully from developments in education, health care and other vital services. Today's Spending Review White Paper does that."

But Mr Cameron warned: "The rural proof of the pudding will be how government departments now deliver the solutions in rural areas. They have been given a clear steer and some additional resources to help secure thriving rural businesses and services that meet rural needs. We will be watching the delivery plans that departments must now produce to ensure this provides tangible outcomes and real benefits for rural people."

Commenting on resources allocated to implement the Curry report's* recommendations,

Mr Cameron said: "It is encouraging that more than £500 million over three years has been made available to implement the core recommendations of the Curry Commission, such as a new 'broad and shallow' agri-environmental scheme. This will incentivise farmers to move away from quantity to quality production and deliver environmental benefits, which is what the public say they want."

Key rural steps outlined today include:

new PSA targets to improve economic performance and accessibility to services in rural areas 

  • improved advice and support for rural businesses and those seeking jobs
  • broadband solutions and ICT links to schools and hospitals
  • help for the rural voluntary sector to deliver services and for community enterprise 
  • support for young people - ranging from child care to extending educational maintenance allowances for post 16 education
  • resources for social and affordable housing in rural areas  
-ends-

Note to editors:

The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues relating to the social, economic and environmental well-being of the English countryside.

* Farming & Food - a sustainable future  January 2002 Report of the Policy Commission on the Future of Food & Farming