As MPs discuss the closure of high street services in rural areas in a Westminster Hall debate today (5 February), the Countryside Alliance has issued a statement emphasising the profound challenges these closures pose to rural communities.
The organisation noted that the shutdown of essential services is both a consequence and a catalyst of the “rural premium” - the additional costs incurred by individuals simply due to residing in rural locales.
“This is a key challenge to rural Britain and reflects the reality of our members’ and supporters’ daily lives,” the campaign group said in a statement ahead of the debate, as it shared a briefing note to the MPs on the topic.
Recent surges in inflation have disproportionately affected village shops and rural enterprises, it said, warning that small local shops, farm shops, and craft producers, already grappling with elevated production costs, face heightened risks. As consumers' disposable incomes dwindle, there's a tendency to opt for more affordable, mass-produced items from larger discount retailers, further straining local businesses, it said.
“Having long campaigned for reform of business rates the Countryside Alliance welcomed (the_ UK government plans to support businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector and to consult with businesses in designing reforms. We are, however, concerned about the impact of the increase in employer National Insurance Contributions,” it added.
The organisation also drew attention to the intertwined challenges of post office viability and limited access to banking services, arguing for the provision of banking services at post office counters.
“The Countryside Alliance has long made the point that post offices must remain relevant in modern times through supporting growth in activities like online shopping through parcel collection and delivery, and to continue to pick up slack as banks and shops close in rural areas,” the statement said.
