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Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!
Promoting Rural Best practice
In July, rural housing association Connexus published Rural Voice, a companion piece to its 2025–2030 Corporate Plan, homes you can build a life in. Launched during Rural Housing Week, the document shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked issues facing rural...
Rural community businesses’ extraordinary impact was honoured at Plunkett UK’s annual awards, held at the start of July. Around 100 people gathered at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London for the 2025 Rural Community Business Awards, sponsored...
Two senior Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) visited a major gas distribution facility in Bathgate to see how Scotland's liquified petroleum gas (LPG) industry is 'renewable ready' – demonstrating that existing energy infrastructure can seamlessly transition to support rural...
At last month’s comprehensive spending review – where the Labour government outlined its spending commitments for the next three years – the Chancellor committed over £10bn to its Warm Homes Plan, which will seek to help homes and businesses decarbonize....
Malcolm Farrow, head of public affairs at OFTEC With the expected publication of the Warm Homes Plan and the Chancellor's Budget, the return after the summer recess is going to be a decisive period for Labour. Despite...
At CPRE, the countryside charity, we stand for a countryside that enriches all our lives, regenerating our wellbeing, and that we in turn regenerate, protect and celebrate. We believe in countryside and green spaces that are accessible to all, rich...
The planning system is changing fast, demanding more of those rural communities where unplanned change can make a profound difference to village life, services and character. The next couple of years could be make or break for some caught...
Since December 2020, WRCC has enjoyed a strong and productive partnership with Cadent, working together to support Warm Hubs across Warwickshire and Solihull. These Hubs are more than just warm spaces—they are welcoming, volunteer-led community venues that offer refreshments, activities,...
During the 2025 University of Plymouth International, National Dementia conference organised by Ian Sherriff B.E.M. which this year was held at Plymouth Argyle conference centre a Memorandum of Understanding between Plymouth University and Nanfang College China was signed in front...
Affordable housing provider Trent & Dove has partnered with Support Staffordshire to address common misconceptions surrounding rural housebuilding - and to highlight the community benefits it brings. The benefits Affordable rural housing delivers more than...
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HOT TOPICS
Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural areas is more expensive.
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and difficulties recruiting health and care workers.
Rural communities are grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, marked by high house prices, a lack of affordable housing, elevated living costs, and lower incomes, threatening their sustainability and vitality.
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
Rural areas, encompassing a substantial portion of England's population and land, play a pivotal role in combating climate change and achieving the net zero target.
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
A future-focused vision for rural communities involves not just building the right homes in the right places but also ensuring thriving, sustainable communities.
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