A coalition of farming and countryside groups has urged the government to check the impacts of austerity and address challenges facing rural people, in order to prevent rural areas from becoming “enclaves of the affluent” post-Brexit.

The Coalition, which includes the NFU, has organised a parliamentary reception to launch its 2017 Rural Coalition Statement, and is calling on ministers to “rural-proof” government policy decisions, and consider how changes introduced as Brexit takes effect will impact on rural England. It warns that more than 9 million people risk being left behind unless the government works to secure a “living, working countryside.”

In its manifesto for last month’s General Election, Labour promised to “Introduce a ‘rural-proofing’ process so that all… laws, policies and programmes consider their impact on rural communities.”   

NFU Deputy President Minette Batters, who was in London for the event, highlighted issues facing rural communities, including the lack of affordable rural homes, poor provision of broadband and mobile phone coverage, lack of public transport, unequal distribution of funding compared to urban areas and poorer access to healthcare.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Rural Coalition warns that many rural dwellers feel ‘left behind’ or ignored, and are suffering as key services are cut back because of public sector austerity and private sector cost-cutting and efficiency savings, including, most notably, adult social care and buses. The Coalition highlights that rural local authorities receive much less funding per resident than other local authorities, and residents face starker challenges in accessing services including physical and mental healthcare and education.

Released with Brexit negotiations already underway, the Coalition’s statement highlights that EU trade, regulations, funding programmes and migrant labour have all helped to shape rural areas and warns that these lifelines for the countryside could be put at risk by Brexit.

The Coalition wants the government to commit to annual targets for building affordable homes in rural areas, deliver a support programme for rural businesses, and ensure that funding for local governments, education authorities and NHS trusts is adequate for them to deliver essential services.

Speaking on Thursday, Margaret Clark CBE, Chair of the Rural Coalition, said, “The Government must recognise that rural England is not just about farming and the environment, and address the very real challenges facing those who live and work in our smaller towns and villages. For too long, rural people and businesses have been left behind and sidelined in the national political debate. It is time for Government departments to up their rural proofing game to achieve a Brexit deal and domestic policy agenda that works for rural communities.

“From now on, all policies and their implementation must be properly assessed to ensure they meet the needs of the millions of people who call the countryside home. Rural communities deserve to have a sustainable future and the time to act is now.”

Richard Quallington, Executive Director of ACRE, added, “The chocolate box image associated with rural areas too often belies the real challenges facing many rural residents. A beautiful countryside sometimes hides the ugly truth of poverty, poor health and social isolation. ACRE also calls upon the government to ensure that the extra costs of delivering services in rural areas are properly reflected in any funding formula and that the key role of community groups, charities and enterprising residents is celebrated and supported through the establishment of a new community infrastructure support programme across rural England.”