Rural England CIC’s annual Rural Vulnerability Day, held last week, provided an essential platform for discussions around the socio-economic challenges and service-related vulnerabilities facing rural communities. Hosted by the Rural Services Network (RSN) on behalf of Rural England, the event brought together experts, policymakers, and rural advocates to explore the unique issues that affect rural areas.

The day’s proceedings kicked off with the Parliamentary session, chaired by Graham Biggs, MBE, Chair of Directors at Rural England C.I.C. A key highlight of this session was the unveiling of the "Socio-Economic Change and Challenges in Rural Small Towns Report", commissioned by Rural England C.I.C. and presented by its author, Professor Martin Phillips.

Professor Phillips, an expert in rural socio-economic dynamics, shared the findings of this landmark report, which examines the significant shifts happening in rural small towns across England. These towns, vital to the rural economy and community life, are facing profound challenges, including demographic changes, economic pressures, and growing difficulties in accessing services. The report calls for targeted interventions to ensure that these towns can adapt to these changes and remain vibrant, resilient, and sustainable.

The report highlighted that many rural small towns are seeing population decline, particularly among younger people, as well as a shift in the types of jobs available. In turn, this is affecting local economies, social infrastructure, and the provision of services. The findings point to the need for focused policy support to revitalise these areas and ensure they continue to serve as key hubs for rural communities.

In addition, the Parliamentary session included a presentation from Dr. Matt Reed, who outlined the challenges rural residents face when accessing essential utilities like energy and water. Dr. Reed's report, titled "Experiences and Issues for Rural Energy and Water Customers in Priority Services Register Code Groups", shed light on the disproportionate barriers faced by rural customers. These include unreliable service delivery, higher costs, and limited access to emergency support. Dr. Reed's presentation emphasised that utility providers must adapt their services to the specific needs of rural areas, where geographic isolation and infrastructure challenges often complicate service provision.

Rural Vulnerability Day included an update on the State of Rural Services Report 2024, a significant research project commissioned by Rural England C.I.C. The report, which will be published in early 2025, aims to provide a comprehensive overview of rural service provision across England. Early insights shared during the event highlighted the disparities in service access between rural and urban communities, particularly in healthcare, education, and digital connectivity.

This ongoing research is expected to be a vital tool in advocating for improved rural services, highlighting the gaps in service provision and calling for targeted policy responses.

Following the parliamentary session, the general session provided an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with the day’s findings and discuss potential solutions. The session featured a discussion on the specific challenges of providing energy and water services to rural communities, with Jo Giles from Cadent responding to questions about how energy providers are addressing rural vulnerabilities.

Throughout the event, attendees took the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and provide feedback directly to the researchers and experts, furthering the dialogue around the specific needs of rural communities. The interactive sessions highlight the importance of stakeholder collaboration in developing solutions to these challenges.

In his closing remarks, Graham Biggs reinforced the importance of continuing to address rural vulnerabilities. He highlighted that rural areas cannot be viewed as a subset of broader, urban-focused policies and that data collection and policy solutions must be tailored to the unique circumstances of rural England.

Graham Biggs also emphasised the need for more accurate data on rural issues, as current approaches often mask the specific challenges faced by rural communities when they are included in broader regional assessments.

As the RSN continues its work to advocate for rural communities, the findings shared during this year’s Rural Vulnerability Day will help shape future efforts to improve rural service provision, strengthen rural economies, and ensure that rural areas are not left behind in national policy discussions. With the insights from Rural England’s research and the contributions of all involved, the RSN looks forward to continuing the conversation and driving positive change for rural communities across rural England.