Warning over Rural Spending Cuts
RURAL communities must not be unfairly penalised by any public spending cuts, a government watchdog has warned. The next government will cut spending pressure on the public purse means tax increases and spending cuts are widely expected following the forthcoming General Election. In the meantime, the Commission for Rural Communities said rural representatives should consider these challenges and act on them where possible. A discussion paper on the subject was published by the commission on Friday 15 January. It was right that rural communities and places should face their fair share of whatever the future holds, says the document. But they should not be unfairly penalised, it warns. “There is a view that public investment into local economies may be facing a particularly bleak future,” the paper says. This could see fewer capital resources available for investment in housing and regeneration projects. “There are fears among regeneration bodies that the public sector might be tempted to cherry pick easier projects in future, in greenfield and city edge locations.” Despite reduced public spending, there were still opportunities to help local economies prosper, particularly through increased local purchasing. Finally, the capacity of local communities to help themselves should be protected and maintained through community development and other support. The full discussion paper can be downloaded here.
http://www.rsnonline.org.uk/politics/warning-over-rural-spending-cuts.html © Rural Services Network
