News

State of the Rural Services – The Challenges for Policy Makers

Richard Inman News

Rural England CIC has today published its latest State of Rural Services 2025 report, presenting a detailed analysis of how people living in rural areas across England access and experience key public and community services.

Drawing on national datasets and official statistics captured up to the end of 2024, the report presents an updated picture of service delivery and accessibility across areas including health and social care, transport, digital connectivity, education, and local infrastructure.

A Clear Rural Disadvantage

The findings reveal consistent and wide-ranging disparities between rural and urban areas.

  • Hospital access remains harder for rural residents: 10% of rural respondents reported difficulty accessing hospital services, compared to just 3% in urban areas. The number of rural hospitals has fallen by 35% over the past 15 years.
  • GP access is more challenging: 13% of rural respondents reported difficulty accessing GP services, compared to 10% in urban areas. For residents of rural hamlets and isolated dwellings, the average minimum travel time to reach a GP by public transport (where it exists) or walking is at least 57 minutes.
  • Bus usage is at a historic low: In the most remote rural areas, buses account for less than 1% of journeys, with fewer supported routes and reduced frequencies.

These gaps are most pronounced in the most remote rural settings, where limited public transport, digital exclusion, and fewer service points combine to create a more challenging environment for service delivery and access.

Key Findings Across Service Areas

  • Health and Social Care: There are 1,706 registered care homes in rural England, mostly in less sparse areas.
  • Children and Young People: Children and Young People: Rural areas have fewer childcare places per 100 children under five, and a lower share are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.
  • Digital Connectivity: While gigabit broadband now reaches 54% of rural premises, 22% of isolated dwellings still cannot access even a 10 Mbps connection.
  • Employment and Services: Only 13 Jobcentre Plus offices are located in rural settlements across England, limiting access for residents in more remote areas.
  • Libraries: 75% of libraries are in urban areas, leaving many rural residents reliant on travel or mobile services.

Implications for Planning and Policy

The report highlights how small, cumulative disadvantages in service access can add up to significant challenges for rural people and places. It points to the importance of flexible, place-based planning and investment that takes account of distance, density, and demography.

It also observes that where services have been lost or scaled back, many communities have responded with local innovation — including community-run shops, mobile libraries, and volunteer transport schemes.

Crucially, the report distinguishes between different types of rural settlements — such as villages, hamlets, and isolated dwellings— and finds that the most remote communities face the greatest barriers.

Graham Biggs, MBE, Chair of the Directors of Rural England C.I.C said:

“This extensive research shows clearly the challenges faced by rural communities in the range of services they can receive and the difficulties they have in accessing those which are provided.

“This is the 4th ‘State of the Rural Services’ Report published by Rural England CIC (the others being in 2016, 2018 and 2021) and so a clear pattern of decline in many essential rural services can be seen. While there have been improvements in areas such as broadband and mobile connectivity, rural areas still lag significantly behind their urban counterparts.

“Rural England CIC is calling on Government, through its Mission for Change, to address the challenges faced by our rural communities and businesses”.

– The Full State of Rural Services 2025 Report is available HERE
– The Executive Summary is available HERE
– A Summary Snapshot is available HERE

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

Richard Inman News ,

Rural England C.I.C has 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.