THE government’s rural statement, originally to be published in late spring, has been postponed until autumn.

SOUTH Lakes MP Tim Farron has been appointed a Parliamentary Patron of the Rural Fair Share campaign.

THE government says it has no plans to increase the amount of time ministers can be quizzed by MPs on rural issues.

SUPPORTING rural communities is among three priorities outlined in Defra’s Business Plan for 2012-15.

THE government’s £1.4bn regional growth fund is failing to deliver value for money, says the official financial watchdog. The fund was established to support private sector jobs and growth in

FORGOTTEN rural communities must be treated more fairly, an MP has warned.

A BILL to establish new arrangements for auditing local bodies was included in the Queen’s speech.

MINISTERS are continuing to seek meetings with 17 rural and farming networks set up as a ‘hotline to the heart of government’.

MPs have called for a fairer deal from the government for rural communities.

GOVERNMENT support for rural communities will be debated by MPs.