PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release

Thursday 6 July 2017

The Rural Services Network is a member of the Rural Coalition of 12 organisations which has today issued its Rural Statement 2017 calling for a Brexit deal that works for rural communities.

Responding to the statement, Rural Services Network chief executive Graham Biggs MBE said:

“Rural communities contribute a great deal to the national economy but are facing threats to their future.

“This is due to chronic underfunding, demographic challenges, diminishing resources – and the needs of rural areas being systematically overlooked.

“Without action, conditions in rural areas will deteriorate further.

“It is in the national interest that we all work together to revitalise this fundamental national asset."

Notes to editors:

1) The Rural Coalition offers itself as a partner for all Government departments and their agencies, drawing on a wealth of expertise and access to rural practitioners.

The coalition website is at www.ruralcoalition.org.uk.

Members of the Rural Coalition include:

Action with Communities in Rural England
National Housing Federation
Campaign to Protect Rural England
Plunkett Foundation
Country Land and Business Association
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Germinate: the Arthur Rank Centre
Royal Town Planning Institute
National Association of Local Councils
Rural Services Network
National Farmers Union
Town and Country Planning Association

Media contact:

Graham Biggs MBE
RSN chef executive
T: 01588 674 922
M: 07966 790197
E: graham.biggs@sparse.gov.uk
W: www.rsnonline.org.uk