1. Leicestershire Rural Partnership Conference Sarah McAdam Head of the Rural Communities Policy Unit Defra

2. Rural Policy: A whistle-stop tour! Why have a rural policy function? Four policy priorities Sustainable rural economic growth Improved broadband/voice mobile Fair access to services Rural communities can shape the place they live Gathering and using rural evidence

3. Why have a rural policy function? Real risk that decision–makers will overlook/ misunderstand the rural context: Failing to realise economic and other potential to be found in rural areas Failing to recognise and address the needs of vulnerable groups living in rural areas Prompting criticism on equity grounds

4. RCPU Engaging with rural stakeholders RCPU Policy work with OGDs Defra Ministers Rural Champions RCPU: Supporting, informing and influencing other Government Departments Defra Ministers: Championing rural interests RCPU: Working with organisations which support and represent rural businesses and communities to gather insights, evidence and good practice. http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/communities/ Our response to this challenge

5. Stimulating sustainable economic growth in rural areas Co-ordinating implementation of the Rural Economy Growth Review Rural Growth Network pilots Refocused RDPE Support for Tourism, Food & Drink and Renewable Energy sectors

6. Improving Broadband/mobile coverage BDUK Rural Broadband Programme (£530m matched with other private/public funds to deliver standard broadband to all and superfast to at least 90% of households in each county) Rural Communities Broadband Fund (£20m RDPE funding to help ‘hard to reach’ communities get access to superfast broadband Mobile Infrastructure Project (£150m to address voice ‘not spots’ and support broadband roll-out)

7. Ensuring fair access to services Supporting Open Public Services implementation across Government Fuel & Energy Community Transport Local Government Resource Review

8. Empowering Rural Communities Working with the Rural Community Action Network Rural Communities Renewable Energy Fund LEADER Showcasing rural voluntary action and social enterprise

9. Developing and maintaining rural evidence Statistical Digest of Rural England Research programme (inc. current local ruralproofing project) Rural & Farming Network Other rural voices – Rural Coalition, Rural Business Finance Forum, LEP roundtable

10. And look out for......forthcoming Government Rural Statement Contact us at rural.communities@defra.gsi.gov.uk