Message of support from the Prime Minister

"I want to wish the Commission for Rural Communities every success as it begins work today.

The role of the Commission is to champion and mainstream the concerns and interests of rural communities, particularly, but not solely, with central and local government. It is a task that the CRC, ever since it was launched in March 2005 as part of the Countryside Agency, has shown a determination to fulfil.

On the crucial issue of housing in rural areas, the CRC has already made a valuable contribution to the work of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission. Your work, too, on rural disadvantage will help shape the Government's approach to tackling social exclusion. I know that your continued efforts in these areas, working with others, will be both important and welcomed.

The overall challenges facing our urban and rural communities are, for the most part, very similar. But what can be different are the solutions needed. I want the Commission to be a strong voice for the concerns and priorities of all those who live and work in rural communities, and for the improvement of policies needed to meet those priorities.

I know that a great deal of hard work by the Board and all the staff has already gone into establishing the Commission. I look forward to seeing you go from strength to strength."

The Right Honourable Tony Blair MP