Rural Economy

Baroness Pitkeathley Excerpts

Thursday 11th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Pitkeathley (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Fuller, for tabling this debate and declare an interest as a resident of that most rural of counties, Herefordshire.

Last Sunday, I was in my local village hall, on the banks of the River Wye, cooking and serving breakfast for up to 50 people. The menu, if noble Lords are interested, was cereals and fruit, a full English with vegetarian and gluten-free options, and unlimited toast, tea and coffee, all for £6, with the profits being shared by the village hall and the local church. This event takes place on the first Sunday of every month. I mention it as it is typical of the activities which happen in so many village halls in so many villages. It is on village halls that I shall focus my brief contribution today.

Village halls serve as a vital community anchor, providing a wide range of benefits. They foster social and community cohesion and offer a neutral, accessible gathering space that brings together people of all ages and backgrounds. That helps reduce social isolation, particularly for elderly residents and those living alone. It fosters a sense of local identity and belonging. They have a role in health and well-being, hosting fitness classes, sports clubs and recreational activities. They provide venues for mental health support groups, carers’ groups and well-being programmes, and give older residents access to social activities which support physical and cognitive health. They are well known as venues for playgroups and nurseries.

They often serve in other ways with local services and support—as polling stations, post office drop-ins and GP surgery outposts in areas where these services have retreated. They host food banks, community larders and emergency relief efforts, and provide a base for Citizens Advice, debt counselling and other such support services. We must remember that problems of debt and poverty exist even in the most beautiful surroundings.

My noble friend mentioned cultural and educational life, and village halls make a huge contribution here. Our local village hall is transformed into a theatre when the local pantomime is produced. They host concerts, film screenings, art exhibitions, education classes, language groups and craft workshops. Your Lordships may be thinking that these things are not vital to the rural economy—a bit on the soft side, perhaps. I dispute that, as anything that helps community cohesion helps the economy.

Let me point out some of the more specific contributions to the economy. They provide affordable venue hire for small businesses, markets and tradespeople, and support local employment through hall management and events. I have seen many a volunteer develop skills to take into the workplace by volunteering to do the bookings and co-ordinating events. I have seen people who, following a major illness, have developed their skills so that they can go back into the workplace.

Think of what happens when there is a flood, of which, unfortunately, there are too many nowadays. Village halls act as emergency rest centres, where people can take refuge after a flood, power cut or other crisis. They serve as co-ordination hubs for the community emergency services.

Village halls contribute to democratic and civil life. They host parish council meetings and public consultations—how do you get a neighbourhood plan unless you have a gathering at your village hall?—and, of course, local elections. They give communities the space to debate, organise and hold authorities to account. In rural areas, as we have heard, the village hall is often the last remaining community building when all the other buildings—schools, pubs and shops—have closed, as all too frequently they have, sadly.

For all these reasons, I hope that the Government and local government recognise the contribution of village halls and the vital role that they play in rural life. I hope the Minister will acknowledge this and understand that any support given is repaid tenfold by the contribution of the volunteers who work so hard to keep them going, as an essential component of a living countryside, cementing the bonds of community, where people know and care for each other.