Commons debates rural community support

In a short debate yesterday, MPs from across the UK gathered to discuss the challenges facing rural communities and call for increased government support. The debate, secured by Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden (South Devon), highlighted the significant rural-urban divide affecting approximately 10 million UK residents. 

Opening the debate, Ms Voaden emphasised how rural areas often face unique challenges that are overlooked in policy-making. She cited statistics showing that rural areas have higher proportions of elderly residents, lower incomes from work and greater distances to travel for essential services. Rural residents face limited access to healthcare, with many areas lacking NHS dentists and adequate hospital transport. 

“The rural-urban divide is one of the deepest divides in our country,” Ms Voaden stated, calling for better representation of rural communities in top-level decision-making. 

MPs highlighted the disparity in government funding between urban and rural areas. Under the 2025-26 local government finance settlement, urban areas will receive £573 per head compared to £407 in rural areas – a 41% difference. Concern was also expressed about the reduction in the Rural England Prosperity Fund from £110 million a year from 2023-25 to £33 million in the coming year, representing a real-terms cut. 

Transportation emerged as a critical issue, with several MPs describing how inadequate public transport isolates rural residents. Charlotte Cane MP (LD, Ely and East Cambridgeshire) noted that many villages have no buses or very limited services, forcing dependence on cars. Helen Morgan MP (LD, North Shropshire) reported that her county has lost 63% of its bus miles since 2015. 

Digital connectivity was another major concern. Broadband access in rural areas significantly lags behind urban centres, with only 47% of rural premises having access to gigabit-capable broadband compared to 84% in urban areas. Several MPs emphasised that reliable internet is crucial when physical services are scarce. 

Other issues discussed included: 

• The closure of high street services including banks, post offices, and pubs, which serve as vital community hubs. 

• Limited housing affordability, with higher house prices and lower wages creating an unsustainable ratio. 

• Hidden rural deprivation that is not captured by standard measurement methods. 

• The challenges of healthcare provision in sparsely populated areas. 

• The impact of poor infrastructure on young people's opportunities. 

• The impact on farming communities of the previous evening’s decision to close the Sustainable Farming Incentive without notice. 

Responding to the debate the Food Security and Rural Affairs Minister, Daniel Zeichner MP, acknowledged the cross-departmental nature of rural issues and expressed commitment to ensuring rural communities receive proper attention. He highlighted recent government initiatives, including money directed to the Rural England Prosperity Fund and £5 million for community-owned assets. 

Mr Zeichner also noted plans to improve rural digital connectivity, reform planning policy to deliver more affordable housing, and address healthcare access issues. He promised that a report on the index of rural deprivation would be published later this year. 

The debate reflected broad cross-party recognition of the distinct challenges faced by rural communities, with MPs urging the government to ensure rural areas are not left behind as the country moves forward.