Responding to today’s (Tuesday) announcement by Environment, food and Rural Affairs Secretary Caroline Spelman that the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) will be abolished, Shaun Spiers, Chief Executive of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), says:

“I would like to pay tribute to the work of the Commission for Rural Communities as a public and independent voice for rural communities over the last four years, and to its Chair, Stuart Burgess, who has been a tireless Rural Advocate to Ministers.

“The Commission has done valuable work, including by highlighting the often overlooked extent of poverty in rural areas. Working with CPRE and other organisations, the CRC has taken a leading role in the campaign for more affordable housing in the countryside. It has also championed England’s upland areas, which face many important challenges.“

Shaun Spiers continued:

“The new Government has a strong rural base, and Defra itself now has three ministers with rural constituencies. Defra ministers are undoubtedly committed to rural areas and we welcome the Government’s commitment to affordable rural housing and rolling out broadband in rural areas.

“But all governments, whatever their political complexion, need their decision-making to be informed by robust, independent and evidence-based policy advocacy. Where necessary, they need to be held to account by authoritative but independent bodies. We do not doubt that Defra will champion the countryside within government, but it will not always get its way and the freedom of Defra ministers and civil servants to speak out will be severely constrained.

“With the demise of the CRC, and the threat to the policy and advocacy role of other non-departmental public bodies, there will be an even greater need for Government to listen to NGOs and civil society organisations such as CPRE. “

End

Notes to Editors
• CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk