Committee publication · Correspondence · 20 May 2026
Correspondence from the Department for Transport relating to rural proofing policies, dated 12 January 2026
Summary
The Department for Transport responds to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's inquiry into rural proofing policies. DfT outlines its approach to embedding rural considerations in transport policy through analytical tools including the Connectivity Tool, place-based analysis, and social impact assessment. The letter details collaboration with Defra, funding mechanisms prioritising rural areas (including revised bus grant formulas and £400m EV charging infrastructure), and policy examples such as bus fare caps and demand-responsive transport pilots.
Key findings
- DfT's rural proofing approach is embedded in policy-making through Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG), business case processes, and the Connectivity Tool—a publicly available measure of sustainable transport access to everyday destinations.
- Local Authority Bus Grant allocations for 2026/27 now include a rural metric for the first time, recognising higher operating costs in rural areas and distributing funding more equitably between urban and rural communities.
- The £400m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund allocated additional capital to rural local authorities based on rurality assessment, ensuring equitable chargepoint rollout.
- DfT is supporting innovative rural mobility through demand-responsive transport pilots and has allocated £2.75m to Transport East for a Rural Mobility Centre of Excellence over three years.
- DfT works closely with Defra through the Rural Taskforce (established 2025) and ongoing policy development collaboration, including work on the Land Use Framework and National Planning Policy Framework integration.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Alistair Carmichael MP, Lilian Greenwood MP, Department for Transport, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Transport East, Local Highways Authorities
Notable line
“The addition of rurality reflects the higher operating costs typically associated with serving rural communities, helping to create a more balanced distribution between urban and rural communities.”
Key Quotes
“DfT's approach to rural proofing is supported through a suite of policy and analysis evidence and tools that embed rural considerations from the outset.”
“The revenue element of the Local Authority Bus Grant allocations from 2026/27 is based on a revised formula that introduces a rural metric for the first time.”
“Our fare cap could lead to savings of up to 80% on some of the longest routes, particularly in rural areas.”
“… responsive transport (DRT). This has the potential to improve the local transport offer in areas where demand is more dispersed, and the distances involved make it more challenging to maintain or provide services which meet residents' diverse needs.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗