Defra has taken new steps to underline the government’s commitment to growth in the rural economy with the implementation of a Rural Statement, to be unveiled by the Environment Secretary Owen Paterson today (12 September).

The Department says the execution of this ‘rural contract’ will also allow rural communities to hold the government to account, should they fail to deliver on the promises it contains.

It follows on from the Rural Economy Growth review, announced last November, which laid out a number of new initiatives with the aim of enabling rural businesses to grow and diversify, supporting rural tourism, expanding the agri-food sector, delivering green growth, and reducing regulation on farms.

The Rural Statement seeks to reaffirm this commitment to ‘promoting a prosperous rural economy and thriving rural communities’ by demonstrating how it is removing red tape to make it easier for initiatives included in the Rural Economy Growth review – such as superfast broadband delivery (as part of the pledge to achieve the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015), rural business grants and Rural Growth Networks - to be implemented.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Owen Paterson explained more about the reasoning behind the Statement: “Rural economic growth is vital for this country. The government’s role is [to] ensure that rural areas have all the infrastructure they need to grow. Businesses should then be free from the unnecessary government red tape that has got in the way of rural economic growth in the past.

“For too long, rural England was neglected by central government and its businesses struggled to achieve their ambitions. We’ve already transformed the prospects of thousands of rural businesses and want to make sure that change is felt in every part of rural England. To do this, we’ve created the first ‘rural contract’ to give rural areas the power to hold us to account on our promise to grow the rural economy and support thriving rural communities.”

The contract has been welcomed by the Country Land & Business Association’s President, Harry Cotterell, who said: “Long-term sustainability and the competitiveness of rural businesses are crucial in the present economic climate. It is vital Defra understands the needs and interests of rural businesses as well as those who live and work in rural areas.”

Owen Paterson will today meet with one of the first two communities to have been awarded a pre-contract agreement for funding, which will see 525 homes and businesses in Garsdale and Dentdale, Cumbria connected. It is understood that the area will receive £157,500 of investment from the government as part of the larger £20 million Rural Community Broadband Fund and £530 million Broadband Delivery UK programme.

Culture Secretary, Maria Miller, emphasised the significance of this investment: “Superfast broadband is key to the economic prosperity of rural communities. The government is investing £680 million in delivering the best broadband in Europe - and we are slashing red tape to get the programme moving quickly. The government means business and superfast broadband will help kick start our economy.”

As part of the Rural Statement, the government has also said it ‘will engage directly with rural communities and businesses’ to allow them to better influence the changes needed in their area.

A series of ‘Rural Roadshows’ - in which Defra ministers will visit rural communities across the country – will be held to help them fulfil this. Today will also see Defra minister, Richard Benyon, visit an ‘enterprise hub’ in Wiltshire, created by the region’s Rural Growth Network.