Rural Affairs

Rural Services Standard

2003 Rural Services Standard

The second review of the rural services standard was launched by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael on the 14th July at a meeting of the Rural Affairs Forum for England. The publication meets the commitments set out in the 2000 Rural White Paper to review and revise the rural services standard annually with advice from the Countryside Agency, the Rural Affairs Forum for England and the Cabinet Committee on Rural Renewal.

The aim of the Rural services standard 2003 is to give people living in the countryside a better understanding of the services they can expect. This year 3 new standards have been added; all rural Local Education Authorities to have a full extended school service by 2006, 50% discounts on local bus fares for over 60’s and a free piece of fruit every school day for every 4-6 year old.

The Rural services standard 2003 can be obtained here [[Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader] 420Kb], or from Defra publications on 08459 556000 (Product code PB8366).

Review of the Rural Services Standard

On the 7th April 2003 Alun Michael announced a review of the Rural Services Standard at a meeting of the Rural Affairs Forum for England. As part of the review we are consulting rural communities, organisations that represent them, service providers and policy-makers.

The results from this consultative process was then fed into an Independent Evaluation of the Rural Services Standard which was undertaken by Countryside and Community Research Unit of the University of Gloucestershire in September 2003. The final report is available below. Hard copies can be obtained by e-mailing rural.services@defra.gsi.gov.uk or ringing 020 7238 6802

2002 Rural Services Standard

The rural services standard was first published in the Rural White Paper and set out how equitable access to the everyday public services which rural people need would be delivered.

Alun Michael, Minister of State for Rural Affairs and Ewen Cameron, Chairman of the Countryside Agency sent out a joint letter to launch the Rural services standard 2002 and the Rural Services Standard Progress Report 2001/02.

We will continue to develop and improve the rural services standard on an annual basis with the Countryside Agency, service providers, other Government Departments and rural stakeholders.

Page last modified: 19 May, 2005
Page published: 21 August, 2002

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs