Rural Vulnerability Day 2024: A Day of Insights and Impact

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.

Read more

Rural England C.I.C Releases In-Depth Report on Socio-Economic Challenges in Small Rural Towns

Tuesday 19th November – Today, Rural England C.I.C unveiled a comprehensive report titled Socio-Economic Change and Challenges in Rural Small Towns. This pivotal research, spearheaded by Rural England, provides an exhaustive analysis of the evolving socio-economic landscape of small rural towns in England, highlighting the transformative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and long-standing socio-economic shifts.

Overview:

The report delves into the significant changes faced by small rural towns, historically central to agricultural, retail, and service provision for their surrounding communities. These towns have experienced profound socio-economic transformations over recent decades, with the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent cost-of-living crisis further accelerating these trends.

Key Findings:

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic:
  • The pandemic has intensified existing socio-economic trends, disrupting local economies, retail sectors, and transportation services.
  • Temporary declines in tourism and retail footfall during lockdown periods have led to permanent shifts in consumer behavior.
Government Support and Funding:
  • The efficacy of major government initiatives, including the Towns Fund, Future High Streets Fund, and Levelling Up Fund, is critically examined.
  • Despite their goals, these programs often exclude smaller towns, especially those with populations under 5,000, leaving many crucial rural service centers without necessary support.
Demographic and Economic Shifts:
  • Small rural towns are witnessing an ageing population, with an increase in single-person households and a decline in traditional employment sectors.
  • Economic diversification is essential to sustain local economies as traditional industries, particularly agriculture, continue to wane. There can be an over reliance on the seasonal, low pay and part-time working tourism and hospitality sectors which are both heavily impacted by the cost-of-living pressures recently felt.
Retail and Service Provision:
  • The rise of online shopping and out-of-town retail centers has significantly impacted small town high streets, with many independent retailers struggling to survive.
  • However, towns with a higher proportion of independent shops demonstrate better resilience.
  • Festivals and their schedules are enabling many towns to extend the length of their tourist season.
Transport and Accessibility:
  • Reductions in public transport services have exacerbated accessibility issues, affecting rural residents’ access to employment and essential services.
  • Many towns are actively promoting active travel options, such as walking and cycling, to mitigate these challenges.
Environmental and Green Economy Initiatives:
  • Environmental sustainability and the development of the green economy are locally prioritised in many small towns, with a focus on addressing climate change and increasing flood events.
  • Attracting jobs in the green economy and promoting circular economy practices are seen as vital for long-term sustainability.
Policy Implications:

The report emphasises the need for more inclusive and targeted government policies that acknowledge the unique needs of small rural towns. Equitable distribution of resources and a nuanced understanding of rural deprivation are essential to foster sustainable development.

Future Directions:

To ensure the long-term vitality of small rural towns, the report advocates for:

  • Recalibrated government support accessible to all towns, regardless of size.
  • Economic diversification to counteract the decline of traditional sectors.
  • Targeted interventions to address social inequalities.
  • Empowerment of local communities to develop adaptive strategies for resilience.

Graham Biggs, MBE – Chair of Rural England C.I.C’s Directors said, “This is an important report prepared by Professor Martin Phillips of the University of Leicester and Rural England’s Research Director. It shows that the narrative of small rural towns is one of resilience, adaptation, and hope but that Government support is needed. The report stresses that small rural Towns serve the same economic and social purposes for the town and their hinterlands as their more heavily populated counterparts.

The new Government should consider the findings and act to recalibrate government support so that it is accessible to all towns, regardless of size. With economic diversification to counteract the decline of traditional sectors, targeted interventions to address social inequalities and the empowerment of local communities to develop strategies for resilience, these small rural towns can deliver on the hopes and aspirations of their communities.”  

Download the Full Report HERE.
Download the Overview Report HERE.

New report sets out concerns about proposed heat pumps policy for rural off-grid properties

Rural England calls on the government to review its approach to decarbonising rural properties following new research.

A report published today by the independent rural research organisation, Rural England CIC, raises further concerns about the government’s apparent one-size-fits-all policy of requiring the installation of heat pumps in rural off-gas grid homes and businesses to a faster timetable than in homes connected to the gas grid. 

Read more

The Scope to Engage With Village and Community Agent Schemes (or similar) to Promote Sign Up to The Priority Services Register

This report outlines findings from research which sought to identify where Village Agent, Community Agent or similar schemes operate and to assess their potential for promoting sign up to the Priority Services Register (PSR) operated by utility network operators. 

Read more

#LevelUp FE – Remote learning offers an opportunity for rural FE colleges

Rural Services Network and Young Somerset – April 2020

by Graham Biggs and Nik Harwood
Article published at

Recently we’ve been examining the challenges that rural pupils face in accessing further education and training. Since then, the country has faced unprecedented disruption from the coronavirus outbreak. Frontline workers are rightly focusing on saving lives and stemming the spread of the virus. But the crisis has also thrown into the spotlight an issue which we have been campaigning on for years: rural connectivity.

Read more

#LevelUp FE – Poor transport links compound the disadvantages rural young people face

Rural Services Network and Young Somerset – March 2020

by Graham Biggs and Nik Harwood
Article published at

Paying to learn – an unacceptable situation

Last week, to mark Rural Vulnerability Day 2020, we argued that despite its rhetoric, the Government is not doing enough to ‘level-up’ further educational opportunities for young people in rural areas.

Read more

Equipping the younger generation with the opportunities they need to flourish in even the most rural and isolated areas

Rural Services Network and Young Somerset – March 2020

by Graham Biggs and Nik Harwood
Article published at

#LevellingUp The British Countryside – We’re not doing enough to make it the greatest place in the world to grow up 
Read more

Challenges facing rural 16-18 year olds in accessing appropriate education and work based learning

This research looks at the challenges facing 16-18 year olds living in rural areas in accessing appropriate opportunities for education and work based learning. It also considers the possible implications of accessibility constraints on students’ attainment and on social mobility.

Read more

State of Rural Services Report 2018

State of Rural Services 2018 report (published February 2019) presents the most recent evidence regarding the provision of services to residents and businesses in rural England.
It covers 8 service areas, which are: Local buses and community transport, Broadband and mobile connectivity, Public library services, Hospitals, Public health services, Young people’s services, Shops and online shopping and Personal advice services Read more

2018 – Parliamentary Rural Vulnerability Day

Rural England CIC launched the findings from its latest research paper on ‘Issues Facing Providers of Social Care to Older Residents’.

Alongside Rural Services Network, they are aware of the growing concerns about vulnerability felt by some people in rural areas, particularly as reductions in services and support take place.  Both organisations wish to see such issues and their impacts properly thought about and planned for. Read more

The State of Rural Services 2016 Report

The State of Rural Services 2016 report (published January 2017) presents the most recent evidence regarding the provision of services to residents and businesses in rural England.
It covers nine service areas, which are: local buses and community transport, welfare services, access to cash, further education, the retail sector, mental health services, older people’s services, public health services and community assets. Read more

The State of Rural Services 2016 – Local Buses and Community Transport

Local Buses and Community Transport is the first chapter of nine which will form the State of Rural Services Report 2016 (published in full later on in the year).

The State of Rural Services 2016 project presents the most recent evidence regarding the provision of local bus services and community transport to residents and businesses in rural England.  Read more