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Rural businesses are twice as likely to have inadequate internet connections as those in cities, says a study. Companies say they lack reliable broadband connections, despite ranking fully functional broadband as extremely important to their operation. Study findings...
ONE of England's biggest rural counties says 90% of premises will have access to superfast broadband by this summer. North Yorkshire County Council says it is pressing ahead with its commitment to bringing faster broadband to communities across the...
A Worcestershire MP is urging local businesses to help make the case for better rural broadband. Harriett Baldwin is calling on local entrepreneurs to take part in a survey to help Worcestershire County Council to get more investment to...
The government's telecoms watchdog says one in four rural homes still cannot get a decent broadband connection. New research by Ofcom found that the number of UK properties unable to get a decent broadband connection had fallen by one...
BT has been ordered to separate from its network provider Openreach – in a move aimed at improving broadband and phone services. The split was ordered by Ofcom, the government's telecommunications watchdog, after BT failed to offer voluntary...
THE government is doing too little to improve rural internet speeds, say community and business leaders. The warning follows the government's Autumn Statement, which included £1 billion to invest in full-fibre broadband and trialling 5G networks. Chancellor...
Broadband users are still receiving internet speeds much slower than those advertised, an investigation has revealed. Almost half (45%) of 18-34 year olds have complained to their internet provider about their broadband speed, according to research carried out...
SUPERFAST broadband is set to transform life for doctors, patients and community teams at a remote surgery in North Yorkshire. Aysgarth Surgery in the Upper Dales has been connected to the NHS's state-of-the-art N3 network. It will...
RURAL residents are being misled by connection speeds only available to 10% of customers, say local councils. Speeds advertised by broadband providers fail to reflect the experience of many users – particularly those in remote rural areas, said...
Broadband speed - or indeed the lack of it - remains a big challenge for rural business and communities. Many areas are languishing on connections far slower than those available in larger towns and cities - posing economic as well...
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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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