Valls' plan for a better rural life

PRIME MINISTER Manuel Valls yesterday unveiled 50 measures to improve the quality of life for everyone in rural areas of France.

"Rural life is too often associated with isolation," Mr Valls said as he outlined the scheme in Laon, Aisne, which includes plans to improve access to digital connection, public services and health care.

Aisne is a key target for the Front National in the upcoming departmental elections. Marine Le Pen’s far-right anti-immigration party has strong support in rural regions.

It is expected that further reforms will be unveiled as Mr Valls and several high-ranking ministers tour the French countryside ahead of the ballot.

Mr Valls said that the 169 remaining “white zones” in France that have no 2G access or telecoms access at all would be connected within 18 months.

He said he would triple the number of points where people can access public services in more remote areas of the country within two years. Local post offices would become de facto maison des services publiques so that residents would be able to deal with administrative issues in one place.

He also announced plans to increase the number of health centres in a bid to tackle the issue of "medical deserts", rural areas that do not have easy access to hospitals or GPs. In December, it was announced that trainee doctors would have to undertake part of their training in rural France.

Photo: Claire