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The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) released its third Rural Proofing Report last week. The document titled " Delivering Rural Opportunity - The Third Report on Rural Proofing " provides an overview of the Government’s...
The Government committed to spend £5 Billion through Project Gigabit, a programme aimed at ‘delivering lightning-fast, reliable broadband to every corner of the United Kingdom.’ They have recently unveiled details of the signing of 6 new contracts valued at...
This is not an official website of Parliament. It has not been approved by either House. APPGs are informal groups of Parliamentarians with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed are those of the group. ...
MPs and industry leaders have been discussing the challenges facing the roll out of Project Gigabit and superfast broadband across the UK. Chair of the APPG Digital Communications, Selaine Saxby MP (Con, North Devon) led a roundtable discussion last...
November 2023 Edition This month we focus on the cabinet reshuffle and implications for health and social care, the CMO’s annual report, a Q&A with the new Chair of the National Centre for Rural Health – Nigel...
Shrewsbury based SWS Broadband is set to see the acceleration of plans to deliver fibre to the premises across rural Shropshire following a successful merger. Macquarie Capital, Israel Infrastructure Fund and Tiger Infrastructure Partners have merged SWS Broadband and Cadence Networks with Voneus...
A new report from Uswitch, reveals that broadband outages have doubled in the last year. Sky News report that: “Uswitch's report found 15% of people have been prevented from working due to disconnections, and 25% have been...
Research by the Communications Consumer Panel found that many rural communities are still living without “reliable, robust digital connectivity” , which the panel believes should be “considered an essential utility for all communications consumers in the UK.” The...
The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) puts knowledge to work for an enterprising countryside… combining research with practical innovation to find new ways of unlocking potential and supporting thriving rural businesses and communities. Watch our...
Airband is a provider of rural broadband services and this year is working closely with the Rural Services Network. Founded in 2009, Airband is an independent internet service provider bringing high speed broadband to homes,...
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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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