Rural communities contribute £500m to the creative economy, MPs have been told. Arts-led regeneration could help revitalise England's rural areas, according to a report launched at the Palace of Westminster on 10 February. The Creative Rural Communities report sets out the arguments for a five-year arts and cultural investment programme for rural regeneration. It was unveiled at a reception hosted on behalf of the Rural Cultural Forum by Lib Dem shadow rural affairs secretary Tim Farron. Tory shadow culture minister Ed Vaizey also attended the event. The document seeks support from MPs and peers for a proposed All-Party Parliamentary Rural Cultural Strategy Group. Rural communities and rural artists are already making a difference.

This contribution is conservatively estimated at around £500m - comparable in relative terms to the contribution by the urban arts and cultural industries. Arts-led regeneration has successfully helped revitalise struggling urban and seaside towns. This will help them play a greater role in building stronger, vibrant, sustainable communities. Cultural entitlement also means addressing the future cultural aspirations and needs of rural communities. The Rural Cultural Strategy is intended as a discussion document for further debate with lead agencies, as well as to inform and engage other potential stakeholders. http://www.rsnonline.co.uk/.