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MORE should be done to promote rural tourism, the government has been told. The Country Land and Business Association said the government needed to work more closely with the tourism industry to boost visitor numbers in England and...
Stimulating economic growth is the top priority for the government, MPs have been told. "We want to see rural areas contributing to and benefitting from that growth," said DEFRA minister Richard Benyon. "We are working to improve...
BROADBAND speeds in the countryside continue to languish behind those in larger towns and cities. Rural broadband connections are three times slower than speeds in cities, according to the latest DEFRA bulletin . In 2012, the average...
THE government says it is continuing to look at ways of improving rural broadband services. Two thirds of premises in the UK now have superfast broadband available, culture secretary Maria Miller told the House of Commons on 18...
INADEQUATE funding for public services is among a raft of challenges faced by countryside communities. The warning is contained in a final letter sent to Defra secretary Owen Paterson by the Commission for Rural Communities before it stopped...
A new Rural Health Network has been established following a ground-breaking “Challenging Times” conference in Nottingham last autumn. The Network will enable health professionals to better share best practice, share learning about delivering high quality services to rural...
PUBLIC funding should be used to attract investment in superfast rural broadband networks, says a report. Launched by the Carnegie UK Trust and the Community Broadband Network , the document examines the options for future investment in rural...
RECENT approval for the upgrade of the UK's rural broadband network has been welcomed by distance learning service providers. The £530m rural broadband scheme will improve web services in the country's more remote areas, said the Distance Learning...
RURAL leaders have struck a deal they say will bring faster broadband speeds a step closer for the countryside. The deal means not-for-profit and private companies looking to install infrastructure for community rural broadband networks can work with...
A NEW YEAR rebellion is to be launched against "grossly unfair" spending cuts set to "crucify" rural communities. A front-page article in the Sunday Telegraph highlights calls for a government u-turn by the 120 rural councils belonging to...
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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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