The Countryside Alliance has welcomed the Government's new commitments on rural broadband and English forestry in the Mid Term Review.
The coalition Government has committed to provide universal broadband access across the UK, including rural areas, improve mobile phone coverage and plant a million trees by 2015.
Tim Bonner, Countryside Alliance Director of Campaigns said:
"Broadband and mobile phone access are critical to the diversification of the rural economy which is why the Alliance has been campaigning for universal coverage and quality. This announcement and the planting of a million new trees will be a boost to the countryside.
"We have also been heartened by the continued commitment to a free vote on the repeal of the Hunting Act which was restated by Environment Secretary Owen Paterson over Christmas, although it is disappointing that no vote will take place this year."