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The government is failing England's rural communities, says a House of Lords select committee. Responsibility for rural issues should be transferred away from Defra and given to another government department, says the committee. The recommendation was...
Rural communities risk being cut off from the criminal justice system due to court closures, the government has been told. The warning was issued by the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN), which comprises nearly 30 Police and Crime...
A roundup of our news, research and work provided by the Rural Services Network, highlighting issues for the heart of the village and its services in the last 12 months. News News stories that have been featured on...
TWO prominent politicians will discuss the future of rural policy at a special University of Gloucestershire workshop. Shadow Defra minister David Drew and MEP Julie Girling are among those attending the event which will look at the future of...
Rural residents and businesses are to be given vouchers to help with the cost of connecting to fibre broadband. The government said tens of thousands of homes and businesses would to benefit from £67m investment in faster...
Innovative community projects to tackle litter louts have been awarded government funding. Councils, charities, businesses, and public projects were granted almost £125,000 to take tackle littering in their communities. The funding builds on the government’s wider...
The Bishop of Lincoln has highlighted the challenges faced by communities in sparsely populated rural areas. Christopher Lowson, who has been Bishop of Lincoln for six years, delivered his maiden speech in the House of Lords on...
Rural areas are to benefit from a share of £25m in funding to explore the benefits of 5G digital connectivity. 5G technology is the next step up from 4G – and allows high speed communications at internet...
A quarterly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current rural economic development news, issues and opportunities Rural businesses need help to embrace digital Findings from a new study suggest...
Seemingly minor changes to the national planning policy framework could have big rural benefits, says an expert. They mean farmers could play an increasingly important role in the provision of rural housing. "There are two small...
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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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