Reconnecting with the countryside
Rural communities are central to farming, energy, tourism and innovation. By reforming policymaking, government can recognise their value, close the disconnect, and ensure the countryside can contribute to Britain’s future and prosperity.
Reconnecting government with the countryside: A way forward
Since the General Election in July 2024, rural communities have been seeking greater clarity and direction on how their
needs and ambitions will be reflected within the new government’s policy agenda.
There is a growing sense that the countryside has not yet featured prominently in national policy debates, contributing to a
feeling of disconnect between rural voters and Westminster.
Rural communities offer significant untapped potential for supporting the national economy, but they need clear support
from the government with policies that support the countryside to thrive. There is an opportunity to build a future where
rural areas are seen as vital contributors to the nation’s economic and environmental health and well-being and social
success.
The Countryside Alliance has published a report to provide solutions for how the government can unlock the full potential of the countryside
by promoting opportunities for growth, fostering innovation and encouraging a cultural shift in policymaking. It offers
practical solutions for creating a more inclusive and dynamic relationship between the government and rural communities,
ensuring that rural areas are empowered to play a leading role in shaping national progress.
These solutions aim to build a more equitable and connected country, one that reflects the needs and aspirations of all its citizens, both urban and rural.
Reconnecting with the countryside
The Countryside Alliance has released a report to provide solutions for how the government can unlock the full potential of the countryside by promoting opportunities for growth, fostering innovation and encouraging a cultural shift in policymaking. It offers practical solutions for creating a more inclusive and dynamic relationship between the government and rural communities, ensuring that rural areas are empowered to play a leading role in shaping national progress.
Read our three policy proposals.
Countryside Champion
There is a lack of a dedicated, influential voice for rural communities in government, resulting in inadequate representation. The Countryside Champion would act as a liaison between rural areas and the government, ensuring rural concerns are addressed and integrated into national policy decisions. The Champion, working directly with rural communities, would ensure the government listens to and acts on rural concerns and that rural issues are prioritised at the highest levels. A visible and accountable advocate for rural areas would lead to improved rural policies and a stronger connection between government and the countryside.
Download the full proposal
Rural Community Impact Assessment (RCIA)
A Rural Community Impact Assessment (RCIA) would be used when a proposed policy, development or project is likely to have a significant impact on rural communities. It would assess whether the policy would be disproportionately and significantly detrimental to people living in rural areas, while also informing how it could be designed to deliver additional benefit to rural areas.
Download the full proposal
State of the Countryside Report
There is a lack of accurate, centralised data on rural communities and this has led to policies that fail to address rural realities. The creation of an annual State of the Countryside Report to provide up-to-date, data driven insights into the economic, environmental, and social health of rural areas would inform policy development and raise awareness of rural issues.
The full report
The purpose of this report is to provide solutions for how the government can unlock the full potential of the countryside by promoting opportunities for growth, fostering innovation and encouraging a cultural shift in policymaking. It provides
practical solutions for creating a more inclusive and dynamic relationship between the government and rural communities, ensuring that rural areas are empowered to play a leading role in shaping national progress.
Download the full report
Reconnecting with the countryside
The Countryside Alliance has released a report to provide solutions for how the government can unlock the full potential of the countryside by promoting opportunities for growth, fostering innovation and encouraging a cultural shift in policymaking. It offers practical solutions for creating a more inclusive and dynamic relationship between the government and rural communities, ensuring that rural areas are empowered to play a leading role in shaping national progress.
Read our three policy proposals.
Countryside Champion
Countryside Champion
There is a lack of a dedicated, influential voice for rural communities in government, resulting in inadequate representation. The Countryside Champion would act as a liaison between rural areas and the government, ensuring rural concerns are addressed and integrated into national policy decisions. The Champion, working directly with rural communities, would ensure the government listens to and acts on rural concerns and that rural issues are prioritised at the highest levels. A visible and accountable advocate for rural areas would lead to improved rural policies and a stronger connection between government and the countryside.
Download the full proposal
Rural Community Impact Assessment (RCIA)
Rural Community Impact Assessment (RCIA)
A Rural Community Impact Assessment (RCIA) would be used when a proposed policy, development or project is likely to have a significant impact on rural communities. It would assess whether the policy would be disproportionately and significantly detrimental to people living in rural areas, while also informing how it could be designed to deliver additional benefit to rural areas.
Download the full proposal
State of the Countryside Report
State of the Countryside Report
There is a lack of accurate, centralised data on rural communities and this has led to policies that fail to address rural realities. The creation of an annual State of the Countryside Report to provide up-to-date, data driven insights into the economic, environmental, and social health of rural areas would inform policy development and raise awareness of rural issues.
The full report
The full report
The purpose of this report is to provide solutions for how the government can unlock the full potential of the countryside by promoting opportunities for growth, fostering innovation and encouraging a cultural shift in policymaking. It provides
practical solutions for creating a more inclusive and dynamic relationship between the government and rural communities, ensuring that rural areas are empowered to play a leading role in shaping national progress.
Download the full report