Rural England C.I.C. marked this year’s Rural Vulnerability Day with two pivotal events, bringing together experts, policymakers, and parliamentary representatives to address critical issues facing rural communities. This year’s events focused on the socio-economic changes in small towns and the experiences of rural energy and water customers, alongside a comprehensive update on the State of Rural Services research currently ongoing.
The day commenced with the Parliamentary Launch, led by Graham Biggs, MBE, Chair of Directors at Rural England. The session opened with the launch of the “Socio-Economic Change and Challenges in Rural Small Towns Report” by Professor Martin Phillips, followed by insights into the “Experiences and Issues for Rural Energy and Water Customers in Priority Services Register Code Groups” from Dr. Matt Reed. The parliamentary event concluded with a review of the ongoing “State of Rural Services Report 2024,” setting the stage for further discourse on emerging rural challenges.
Following the morning session, the general launch provided an in-depth exploration of the new findings. The discussion extended to address questions from stakeholders and representatives of rural interest groups, ensuring a broad engagement. Highlights included a detailed presentation on the socio-economic impacts on rural small towns and a session on the utilities challenges rural residents face, featuring Jo Giles of Cadent who responded on behalf of the commissioners. An update on the State of the Rural Services Research – due for publication in early 2025 -was also given
Each segment was followed by a Q&A, allowing attendees to delve deeper into the issues and provide feedback directly to the authors and experts.
The events wrapped up with closing comments from Graham Biggs, who emphasised the importance of continued attention to rural vulnerabilities and the need for tailored solutions that reflect the unique circumstances of rural England. A key issue is that data demonstrating the position in rural areas is often masked by being assessed just as part of much wider geographies
Rural England C.I.C. extends thanks to all sponsors, supporters, speakers, participants, and representatives for their invaluable contributions and for driving forward the conversation on rural resilience and the vulnerabilities caused or exacerbated by rurality.
REPORTS
Download the Full Change and Challenge in English Rural Small Towns and their Town Centres Report HERE.
Download the Change and Challenge in English Rural Small Towns and their Town Centres Executive Summary HERE.
Download the Experiences and Issues for Rural Energy and Water Customers in Priority Services Register Code Groups Report HERE.
PRESENTATIONS FROM THE EVENT
Launch of the Socio-Economic Change and Challenges in Rural Small Towns Report
Presentation by Professor Martin Phillips, author of report and Research Director, Rural England CIC
(Download here)
Launch of the Experiences and Issues for Rural Energy and Water Customers in Priority Services Register Code Group
Presentation by Dr Matt Reed, joint author of report and Director, Countryside & Community Research Institute (CCRI) (Download here)
Latest update on the State of Rural Services Report 2024
Presentation by Professor Martin Phillips, author of report and Research Director, Rural England CIC
(Download here)
USEFUL LINKS SHARED AT THE GENERAL LAUNCH
Change and Challenge in English Rural Small Towns and their Town Centres
By Professor Martin Phillips for Rural England CIC
Overview Report:
https://ruralengland.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/rural-england-towns-summary-report-sept-24.pdf
Full Report:
https://ruralengland.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/rural-england-rural-towns-report.pdf
Experiences and Issues for Rural Energy and Water Customers in Priority Services Register Code Groups
A report by Fred Dunwoodie Stirton and Dr Matt Reed, Countryside and Community Research Group and Rural England C.I.C:
https://ruralengland.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/experiences-and-issues-for-rural-energy-and-water-customers-in-psr-code-groups.pdf
State of Rural Services Reports
Published by Rural England CIC
https://ruralengland.org/rural-england-research-reports/
LINKS SHARED BY DELEGATES
FCN & MacMillan cancer outreach in rural areas
https://fcn.org.uk/cancersupport/
Countryside and Community Research Institute – novel ways in which data could be used for market towns
https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/7069/
Borderlands Place Programme investment in small towns to help boost economic activity across Cumbria
Place Programme | Borderlands The cross-border towns aiming to land a share of £50m – BBC News
Government UK Invest 2035 Industrial Strategy
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/invest-2035-the-uks-modern-industrial-strategy/invest-2035-the-uks-modern-industrial-strategy
Examples on how to engage with marginalised rural communities
https://www.rurallives.co.uk
Digital Voice
https://rsnonline.org.uk/digital-landline-switchover
Ulster University Research on Fuel, Transport and Food Poverty
– Fuel, Transport and Food Poverty Mapping in Fermanagh and Omagh District Council – Ulster University
The impact of rurality on consumers’ access to food services, using a food poverty risk index. – Ulster University
– The impact of rurality on consumers’ access to food services, using a food poverty risk index. – Ulster University
