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Upcoming Events: The Rural Services Network provides a range of meetings to its members to enable them to network, share best practice and hear from expert speakers in relation to rural services. The 2025 RSN online seminar...
Delivering for Rural - A Roadmap to Rural Success A sixth of the population of England live in rural areas. Everyone deserves a chance to live in a thriving community that enables them to reach their full...
About the Churchill Fellowship The Churchill Fellowship is a UK charity which supports individuals to follow their passion for change, through learning from the world and bringing that knowledge back to the UK. The charity funds...
Shropshire Rural Housing was originally known as the “National Agricultural Committee Housing Association”, becoming Shropshire Rural Housing Association in 1985, with the aim of providing good quality accommodation for rent to people in housing need in the rural areas...
Social Mobility, An Opinion Piece by Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network Should Where You Are Born Limit Your Potential? In a report recently published by The Sutton Trust on Social Mobility, it...
Last week, Rural Services Network Chief Executive Kerry Booth gave oral evidence to the House of Lords Social Mobility Policy Committee as part of its ongoing inquiry into the barriers facing young people in rural areas. In...
The Government has published a major Written Ministerial Statement setting out the next stage of its plans to reform how local government in England is funded — and how council tax is administered. In the statement...
The Future of Rural Retail , launched by Plunkett UK , explores how community-owned shops can remain relevant in a fast-changing retail environment. Drawing on insights from a national taskforce of 19 retail leaders – including broadcaster Mary Portas...
The Rural Services Network is pleased to share details of new research from one of our members, the Community Transport Association (CTA), exploring the use of Section 22 permits in the delivery of community bus services. These services...
The Government has published a new 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy , setting out a long-term plan for investment in economic and social infrastructure across the country. The strategy aims to provide greater stability and coordination in how infrastructure is planned,...
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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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