Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the report Hidden Hardship, published by Dr Stephanie Denning of Coventry University in November 2023, what assessment they have made of the need (1) to tailor support provided through the welfare state for people experiencing rural hardship, and (2) to address the lack of affordable housing, public transport, and amenities in rural areas.

We are committed to tackling poverty and raising living standards across the country. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty so this will be the foundation of our approach. Backed by £240 million investment, the Get Britain Working White Paper sets out details of reforms to employment support, including creating an inclusive labour market in which everybody can participate and progress in work. Our vision is for a service where people can access support through the channels that best meet their needs – whether that is online, on the phone or in person. We will also be devolving more power to local areas so they can shape a joined-up work and skills offer that suits the needs of the people they service.

This Government is also committed to delivering the biggest increase in affordable housing in a generation. Our long-term Housing Strategy, which will be published in the Spring, will set out a plan to reform the housing market so that it works better for communities and for building 1.5 million high-quality homes. In addition, the existing Rural Housing Enablers Programme has established a network across England which works with housing providers, rural communities and local authorities to identify local housing needs, source sites, and facilitate the development of small-scale affordable rural housing schemes.

This Government knows how important bus services are to local communities and that buses can be a lifeline in particular for those in rural areas. We have set out a plan to deliver better buses throughout England by giving local leaders the tools they need and empowering them to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities they serve, including through the introduction of the Buses Bill later in this parliamentary session. The government also recognises the importance of providing funding to support and drive improvements to bus services over the longer-term. In the Budget we confirmed over £1 billion of funding to support and improve bus services, and keep fares affordable in England outside London.

The Government’s Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund supports the modernisation and improvement of village halls across England helping to keep these valuable assets and the services they provide accessible to rural communities. We also provide support to rural communities for actions to address local needs and capacity building through a programme of activities delivered through the Action with Communities in Rural England Network.