The government published the terms of reference for the 'Rural Delivery Review', together with a scoping paper. The review, chaired by Lord Haskins, will make recommendations on simplifying responsibilities for the delivery of services to rural areas, maximising value for money, and helping to deliver the government's rural priorities and targets.
Source: Press releases 6.12.02 and 20.12.02, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (020 7238 6000)
Links: Press release(9.12.02) | Press release (20.12.02) | Scoping paper
Date: 2002-Dec
The government announced a 450 million fund (covering the three years 2003-04 to 2005-06) to safeguard the future of thousands of rural post offices. The minister said: 'The money announced today will help to ensure that the village post office remains firmly at the heart of the community'.
Source: Press release 2.12.02, Department of Trade and Industry (020 7215 5000)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A new guide challenged traditional methods for estimating homelessness and rough sleeping in rural areas. It said that inadequate counting methods serve to underestimate, or deny the very existence of, homelessness in rural areas and therefore prevent vital resources being allocated to tackle the problem.
Source: David Robinson, Estimating Homelessness in Rural Areas, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research/Sheffield Hallam University (0114 225 3073)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A progress report was published on the delivery of public services in rural areas of Scotland.
Source: Scottish National Rural Partnership, Implementing Services in Rural Scotland: A Progress Report, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report | Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A report examined ways of providing affordable housing for owner occupation in high-value rural areas (such as the Lake District National Park), and recommended an equity share model.
Source: Jacqueline Blenkinship, Delivering Affordable Housing, Eden Housing Association (01768 861400)
Links: Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
The government announced two reviews into ways of improving rural services.
Source: Press release 8.11.02, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (020 7238 6000)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The Countryside Agency urged the government to give a concerted push to achieve clear improvements in the delivery of more affordable housing in rural areas.
Source: A Housing Policy for Tomorrow's Countryside, Countryside Agency (0870 120 6466)
Links: Press release/report
Date: 2002-Nov
Research for the postal services watchdog showed that rural post office closures are having a profound effect on local communities, damaging people s independence and community spirit, and particularly disadvantaging the elderly, disabled people and those without transport.
Source: HI Europe and Triangle, The Impact of Post Office Closures in the Rural Community, Postwatch (0870 162 5300)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
A survey examined the availability of a wide range of services in rural Scotland.
Source: Availability of Services in Rural Scotland, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report
Date: 2002-Oct
The postal services regulator called for action to ensure that the network of post offices has a sustainable future, including financial assistance for post offices in rural and urban deprived areas.
Source: Access to Post Office Services: Time to Act, Postal Services Commission (020 7593 2100)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/3, Digest 119, paragraph 1.1
Date: 2002-Sep
A revised standard set out the level of access to services that people living in rural areas can expect. It included new standards for access to broadband in schools, and for Inland Revenue advice.
Source: Rural Services Standard 2002, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (08459 556000)
Links: Standard (pdf) | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 4.7
Date: 2002-Aug
A report examined ways of delivering supported housing in rural areas.
Source: Support and Housing in the Countryside: Innovation and Choice, Countryside Agency (0870 120 6466), Housing Associations Charitable Trust, and Housing Corporation
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122 (paragraph 4.7)
Date: 2002-Jun
A Scottish study found that better integration of rural transport options can help alleviate social exclusion.
Source: D. Halden, et al., Rural Accessibility, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123 (paragraph 4.7)
Date: 2002-May
A report said that rural homes are less affordable than in urban areas, in seven out of eight English regions.
Source: State of the Countryside 2002, Countryside Agency (0870 120 6466)
Links: Report
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122 (paragraph 4.7)
Date: 2002-May
A housing charity found that one in three rural local authorities fails to provide any emergency accommodation for young people.
Source: Research by Centrepoint, reported in The Guardian, 8.5.02
Links: Guardian report
Date: 2002-May