WIREDGOV

We welcome the publication of the Conservative's Quality of Life report, published yesterday. The chapter on rural life rightly recognises that rural areas often require specific policies to address issues like the dispersed nature of rural deprivation.

The focus on affordable housing is welcome, and identifies this as a key social justice issue for all political parties to address. The proposal for ‘Localhold’ homes echoes the existing concept of Community Land Trusts and it is exciting that these ways of meeting local needs for affordable housing are being explored.

However, we are disappointed with the lack of support for council tax on second homes and the opportunity that would be lost to fund affordable homes for local people.

The recognition of the importance of the rural economy is welcome and we agree that a perception that rural areas are prosperous can conceal pockets of real disadvantge. It is essential that rural services are supported and maintained. It needs to emphasised, however, that England’s rural economies are much more diverse and dynamic than food and farming alone.

We also welcome the recognition that any government’s economic and social policies need to be as relevant and supportive of the rural economy as they aim to be for our cities and larger towns.

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