The Rural Coalition, which includes the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), has responded to the government's Levelling Up White Paper.
The coalition believes the white paper provides the framework for the start of a dialogue and process, resulting in a better understanding of rural issues and the best means of tackling them.
The statement draws up the coalition's unique perspective of rural England, giving an initial overall response to the white paper and highlights some key areas that it considers need to be addressed to ensure that the proposals and ambitions will work in those left behind rural areas.
The Rural Coalition is thirteen national organisations that subscribe to a vision for a living and working countryside in England.