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The Guardian reports on new proposals from the Treasury designed to safeguard accessibility to cash, which could mean shops would have to offer cashback even if customers do not make a purchase The Government aims to ensure no one...
The Community Access to Cash Pilot (CACP) initiative has today announced the plans for the nine Cash Pilot locations across the UK, where trials are being tested to help address challenges of improving cash access and acceptance In June,...
Below is a recently released report written by Citizens Advice: Despite a huge increase in cashless spending and rising online banking, 14% of consumers and 20% of small businesses still use face to face banking weekly. As banks...
The Sun writes this weekend that Britons will soon get better access to free-to-use cash machines under Government plans, as banks and building societies will be required to give access within a ‘reasonable distance’ of every home in the UK...
Talking Retail reports on information published on the 30th June by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) revealing the locations of ‘cold spots’ around the country where consumers do not have access to cash within a...
ITV reports that eight locations across Britain have been chosen to take part in an initiative to help improve communities’ access to cash The areas which successfully applied to take part in the Community Access to Cash Pilot (CACP)...
Talking Retail and Retail Times have published research demonstrating that rural and older communities are as happy to make cashless payments as their younger and city-dwelling counterparts 55 percent of those living rurally responded to a survey stating that...
The Telegraph reports that ministers have been accused of failing to protect the Post Office beyond 2021 which could put the future of 11,500 branches at risk The Government insisted it was ‘committed to safeguarding the network and protecting...
Forecourt Trader report on news that the Chancellor has been urged to ensure all ATMs operate as 'free to use' during the COVID-19 lockdown, in a collaborative letter involving the Rural Services Network ‘Never has the widespread availability of...
A coalition including campaign group Positive Money, the Petrol Retailers Association, Responsible Finance, the Rural Services Network and NoteMachine, the UK’s second largest provider of ATMs, has called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to urgently intervene to protect the...
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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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