A GOVERNMENT minister paid a flying visit to the North Cotswolds to see how information technology (IT) is transforming rural economies and lifestyles.

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, joined IT entrepreneurs on a tour of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire organised by the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC).

It was the latest in the CRC’s series of Rural Experience visits, designed to give senior executives an insight into rural issues.

The party’s first visit was to The Phone Co-op at Elmsfield Business Centre, Chipping Norton, the United Kingdom’s only telecommunications co-operative.

This venture procures telecommunications services for customers, many of whom are cooperatives, charities and other not-for-profit organisations.

They then visited Everyclick, a Moreton-based company that enables people to access any UK charity online.

Individuals, businesses, schools and colleges can fundraise for their favourite charities by logging onto www.everyclick.com Their next visit was to family-run Moreton business, Oasis Specialist Tent Hire.

Founded in 1996, this business provides genuine Bedouin tents, along with marquee linings and interior theming, for events.

Mr Benn said: “Technology has helped rural entrepreneurship to grow and broadband is transforming lives, communities and jobs.

“I know that broadband is essential for rural communities and businesses.

“I will make sure that access for rural areas is a central part of government plans for the future of broadband.”

Doctor Stuart Burgess, CRC chairman and the government’s Rural Advocate, said equalities remain in the speed, quality and cost of broadband in rural areas.

He said: “The future of broadband in these areas is a serious issue.

“Rural areas have seen some of the steepest rises in unemployment rates.

“High-speed, reliable broadband is essential for people looking for work and accessing benefits, and for businesses targeting new markets and seeking to reduce costs.”