March 2026

Written Statement: Local Government Reorganisation

In a written statement, the Government set out the next steps in its programme of local government reorganisation, including decisions to replace two-tier systems with new unitary authorities in several areas. The reforms are intended to improve efficiency, strengthen service delivery and support economic growth, while also recognising the need to reflect local identity, including the distinct characteristics of rural communities. The statement emphasised that proposals have been assessed on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on creating councils of appropriate scale, supporting devolution, and enabling stronger community engagement, alongside a commitment to transition funding and a timetable for implementation through to 2028.

Read the statement here.

Heating Oil: Rural Homes

During oral questions, MPs raised the ongoing pressures facing rural households reliant on heating oil, particularly in off-grid areas where alternatives to mains gas are limited. Ministers pointed to recent financial support and an ongoing investigation into the functioning of the heating oil market, while Members highlighted the scale of cost increases, high levels of fuel poverty and concerns about whether current support is sufficient or reaching those most in need. Issues around delivery mechanisms, the role of local knowledge in targeting support, and the wider fairness of energy costs for rural communities were also emphasised.

Read the full transcript here.

Read RSN commentary and contribution here.

Rail Connections To London: Rural Towns

This adjournment debate centred on the role of rail connectivity in supporting rural towns, with MPs highlighting how limited or indirect services to London can constrain economic growth, access to jobs and education, and wider opportunities. Contributions pointed to gaps in infrastructure, including towns without stations, infrequent services and poor integration with local transport, which can leave residents reliant on cars.

Members also emphasised the wider economic and social benefits of improved connections, both to London and between rural towns themselves, while calling for investment, reliability and better coordination to ensure rural areas are not left behind in transport planning.

Read the full debate transcript here.

Oeral Questions: Environment, Food And Rural Affairs

During oral questions, a range of issues relevant to rural communities were raised, including flooding, agricultural support, food security and environmental management. Ministers pointed to significant planned investment in flood defences and ongoing reforms to schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive, alongside efforts to support trade and food production through SPS negotiations. MPs highlighted pressures facing farmers, concerns about scheme accessibility and funding clarity, and the importance of ensuring that policy and investment effectively support rural economies, infrastructure and resilience.

Read the full transcript here.

Flooding: Rural Communities

A debate focused on the significant and recurring impact of flooding on rural communities, with MPs describing how smaller populations can be severely affected yet often struggle to access support due to rigid funding thresholds and criteria. Issues raised included gaps in recovery frameworks, rising insurance challenges, pressures on farmers and infrastructure, and concerns about planning and land management contributing to increased flood risk.

While the Government pointed to increased investment, flood defence schemes and a growing focus on resilience, Members emphasised the need for more flexible, locally informed approaches that better reflect the realities of rural areas and ensure communities are not overlooked.

Read the full debate transcript here.

Rural Broadband

The discussion emphasised ongoing challenges in delivering reliable broadband to rural and hard-to-reach areas, despite national ambitions to expand gigabit-capable coverage. While the Government pointed to programmes such as Project Gigabit and a mix of commercial and subsidised delivery, MPs raised concerns about persistent connectivity gaps, delays, and lack of accountability when projects stall. Rural communities were described as facing particular difficulties due to geography, with some still lacking even basic connectivity, prompting calls for more flexible and immediate solutions -such as wireless or satellite options - alongside clearer delivery plans to ensure no areas are left behind.

Read the full debate transcript here.

Rural Roads

The debate highlighted that the condition of rural roads remains a significant and widely shared concern, with MPs emphasising how potholes, poor maintenance and underinvestment have disproportionate impacts in rural areas where residents are more reliant on cars due to limited public transport.

Members pointed to safety risks, rising vehicle damage costs and the potential for communities to become isolated when roads deteriorate.

A recurring theme was the challenge for rural local authorities in maintaining extensive road networks with constrained or uncertain funding, alongside calls for more consistent, long-term investment and a greater recognition of rural factors within funding frameworks and road safety strategies.

Read the full debate transcript here.

Healthcare In Rural Areas

MPs debated the challenges of accessing healthcare in rural areas during a Westminster Hall debate led by Blake Stephenson MP. Opening the discussion, he highlighted the structural difficulties rural communities face, including longer travel distances, workforce shortages, weaker digital connectivity and fewer GP surgeries. He also raised concerns that national policies such as neighbourhood health services designed around populations of around 50,000, may not reflect the realities of smaller rural towns and villages, risking further centralisation of services away from local communities.

During the debate, MPs from across the House highlighted a range of pressures affecting rural healthcare, including shortages of GPs, dentists and pharmacies, longer travel times to hospitals, limited public transport and the impact of population growth and housing development without matching healthcare infrastructure. Several MPs also raised concerns that funding formulas and NHS planning structures do not always fully account for the higher costs of delivering services across large and sparsely populated areas.

Responding for the Government, Care Minister Stephen Kinnock acknowledged the unique challenges faced by rural communities and outlined plans within the NHS 10-year health strategy to improve access. He said reforms would focus on shifting care from hospitals to community settings, expanding digital services and strengthening neighbourhood health services designed locally to reflect community needs. The Government also highlighted additional investment in GP services, workforce recruitment and rural adjustments within funding formulas to better reflect the costs of delivering care in remote areas.

Read the full debate transcript here.