Rural areas risk being overlooked in devolution plans

The Rural Services Network (RSN) has raised important concerns about how new devolution plans could affect rural communities. While devolution is designed to give more power to local areas, the RSN warns that without the right safeguards, rural places could be left behind.

What is devolution?

Devolution means shifting decision-making powers from central government to regional or local authorities. This can include control over housing, transport, planning, and investment. In theory, it allows decisions to be made closer to the communities they affect.

However, the RSN highlights that these new powers do not automatically guarantee better outcomes for rural areas.

The main concerns

1. No guarantee rural needs will be prioritised

One of the biggest issues is that there is no requirement for devolved authorities to focus on rural communities. This means decisions could be dominated by towns and cities, where populations are larger and needs are more visible.

2. Risk of a “postcode lottery”

The RSN warns that outcomes could vary widely depending on local leadership. Some areas may champion rural issues, while others may not, creating uneven support across the country.

3. Funding pressures could worsen

Rural councils already face higher costs delivering services across large, sparsely populated areas, but often receive less funding than urban areas. Without changes, devolution could increase financial strain rather than reduce it.

4. Rural voices may be weaker

In larger combined authorities, rural areas can be a smaller part of the overall population. This raises concerns that their needs—such as transport, housing, and access to services—may not be fully heard.

Why this matters for rural communities

The potential impact on rural areas is significant:

• Housing: Rural communities already face high house prices and limited affordable homes. If not prioritised, this could worsen, pushing younger people out of villages.
• Transport: Limited public transport could receive less attention compared to urban networks, increasing isolation.
• Healthcare and services: Longer travel distances and fewer facilities mean rural residents rely heavily on well-funded local services—which may be harder to sustain.
• Economic growth: Poor digital connectivity and infrastructure could hold back rural businesses if investment is focused elsewhere.

In short, without careful planning, devolution could deepen existing inequalities between rural and urban areas.

Is there any good news?

Devolution does still offer opportunities. With strong local leadership, it could:

• Tailor policies to local rural needs
• Improve coordination between housing, transport, and services
• Support rural economic growth

But the key message from the RSN is clear: this will not happen automatically.

What needs to happen next?

The RSN is calling for:

• Stronger “rural proofing” of policies
• Clear representation for rural communities in decision-making
• Fairer funding that reflects higher delivery costs
• Better data and evidence to highlight rural needs

Final thought

Devolution has the potential to reshape how services are delivered across England- but for rural areas, it is a double-edged sword. Done well, it could bring decisions closer to communities. Done poorly, it risks making existing challenges even harder.

For rural organisations and communities, the message is clear: engaging early and making rural voices heard will be critical to ensuring no one is left behind.