The Government has a clear commitment to ‘rural proof’ its policies and programmes. This involves considering their potential impact on rural areas and, where appropriate, adjusting them to meet the needs of rural people better.

This year’s Rural Proofing Monitoring report draws on independent evidence on a range of policies gathered from those who make and deliver policy throughout central government departments and the Government Offices for the Regions. Policies considered ranged from regional housing strategies to climate change and from drug abuse to the New Deal.