Mark Conrad 16 November 2022

Rural services 'may be lost' without funding formula

Rural services may be lost without funding formula image
Image: Andrew Roland/Shutterstock.com.

Ministers should implement the 2013-14 funding formula which promised to improve rural finances before measures were dampened or risk losing key countryside services, experts have argued.

Speaking to The MJ, Graham Biggs, chief executive of the Rural Services Network, said he feared many discretionary services in rural areas could be lost if the Treasury announces fresh austerity measures in the Autumn Statement without acknowledging its initial plan to improve rural finances eight years ago.

Changes made to local government funding formulae for 2013-14 promised to deliver rural areas an extra £247m, but were later dampened and then delayed subject to the outcome of the fair funding review.

Failure to utilise the formula has left some rural areas up to 59% worse off, per head, than urban centres of the UK.

But ministers recently indicated that the review will not be announced during this Parliament – leaving rural services experts demanding cash they feel the countryside is long-owed.

Mr Biggs said: ‘We had a situation where there were substantial changes to the formula in 2013-14 of benefit to rural areas, essentially an allowance for the extra costs of rural services. But it was dampened.

‘Rural areas have since been denied money the central formula indicates they should have. Instead, other areas have benefited, such as London. So in this current financial year, rural authorities have had £67 per head to spend on all discretionary services, while urban authorities have received double, at £131.

Read more on this article on The MJ (£)

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner