Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 121934

Rural Areas: Disadvantaged

Tabled: 18 March 2026
Answered: 25 March 2026

Question

James Naish

LabourRushcliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to incorporate transport costs, access to services and off-grid energy costs into its assessment of rural deprivation and need.

Answer

Dame Angela Eagle
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) leads on management and publication of the English Indices of Deprivation (IoD). Defra collaborated with MHCLG on a review and update of the indices, published in October 2025. A comprehens...

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