13 Jul 2026
A report published today by the Labour Rural Research Group explores the opportunities and challenges facing the rural economy and sets out a series of recommendations aimed at unlocking growth across rural communities. Drawing on evidence from organisations across the sector, including submissions from the Rural Services Network, the report calls for a more joined-up, cross-government approach to rural policy and recognises the important contribution rural areas make to the UK’s economic prosperity.
Among its recommendations are stronger rural proofing across government, improved infrastructure and connectivity, greater recognition of the higher costs of delivering services in rural areas, increased affordable housing, and measures to support rural businesses, skills and workforce development. These are issues that the RSN has consistently highlighted as essential to enabling rural communities to thrive.
The RSN welcomes the report’s recognition that rural communities are central to delivering national priorities and that place-based policy is needed to unlock their full potential.
As always, the RSN believes that effective rural proofing must go beyond recognising rural issues and ensure that policies are genuinely designed and tested to reflect the realities of delivering services and supporting growth in rural areas.
