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Rural life inquiry

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By Fiona Reid
Annan and Eskdale
Rural life inquiry

VIEWS on opportunities, challenges and prospects for the future in rural communities are being sought for a Government investigation.

The House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy recently began its inquiry and is looking at a wide range of subjects relating to the rural economy, including services, digital connectivity, housing, transport, employment and demographic change.

And they want contributions on topics including: How the Government is performing on the rural economy/Improving and maintaining provision for essential services such as healthcare, education and banking/Helping rural business to thrive, and supporting investment and new industries/Tackling deprivation and inequality in rural areas/Supporting shops, pubs and other local amenities.

Committee chairman Lord Foster of Bath said: “This is an exciting time for the rural economy and the committee hopes that the report it produces will have a wide-ranging impact on policymakers, practitioners and the public, celebrating successes where they have occurred and challenging people and organisations (including Government) to do better where necessary. “Whether you run a local business, live or work in a rural community, or want to celebrate successes and address challenges in rural areas, I urge you to get in touch and submit evidence to the inquiry.”

Written evidence can be submitted online at www.parliament.uk/rural-economy-committee-submission-form before September 10.

Dumfries and West

28th Feb

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By Marc McLean, local democracy reporter | DNG24

Lifting the lid on national park life

Lifting the lid on national park life

LIFE in a National Park was the focus of a webinar hosted recently by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance with representatives of the Cairngorms National Park. The aim was to allow businesses from Dumfries and Galloway to discuss the impact of national parks and the experience of the Cairngorms. Following the event, Grant Moir, left, CEO of Cairngorms National Park Authority penned this reflective piece: