Our statutory purpose is to promote awareness of the social and economic needs of people who live and work in rural areas and help decision-makers across and beyond government identify how those needs can best be addressed.

On 14 May 2012 the CRC published ‘Rural housing at a time of economic change‘. The research, produced by the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research, develops a new understanding of changing rent levels, migration, and the impact of changing Government policy on benefits eligibility, on rural communities.

On 27 March, the Government published it’s long-awaited National Planning Policy Framework. The CRC has welcomed much of this, but is cautious about some aspects. A press release summarising our reaction to the NPPF can be found here.

Check out our response to the consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework, and our response to the Department of Health engagement exercise relating to the future of social care.

On 29 November, the Government also announced a package of new measures designed to stimulate sustainable growth and help rural businesses and communities to reach their full potential. This package, led by Defra, was produced as part of the Government’s “Growth Review.” Full details of the package can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/economy/