Policy paper: Future of Rural England Report

This report builds on the work of a Rural Taskforce established in 2025 by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), comprising external partners and departments across Whitehall to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities and how government can support rural businesses and communities, tackle rural disadvantage, and unlock the potential of the rural economy. 

Rural areas are determined as settlements with populations of less than 10,000, based on the 2021 Census and the coast of North West England contains many small rural communities, particularly in the north of the region.

Using the shared knowledge and reach of the Rural Taskforce members, 6 themes were identified as being critical to thriving, inclusive, and sustainable rural communities and a series of recommendations and next steps are set out to address these. 

For more information the policy paper can be viewed here.