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Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!
funding
The Rural Services Network (RSN) has submitted its response to the Government’s Fair Funding 2.0 consultation, which closed on 15 August. The RSN is the only national body dedicated to campaigning for fairer funding for rural local authorities. This...
Northumberland County Council has secured over £6 million from the government’s Brownfield Housing Fund to deliver new affordable homes on redundant and underused sites. The funding — totalling £6.075 million — represents more than a quarter of the...
A monthly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current funding opportunities - Download a printable version of the Funding Digest here Capital Grants – Department for Environment, Food...
A monthly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current funding opportunities - Download a printable version of the Funding Digest here National Lottery Awards for All England –...
The Government has published a new 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy , setting out a long-term plan for investment in economic and social infrastructure across the country. The strategy aims to provide greater stability and coordination in how infrastructure is planned,...
The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse is open for applications — but not for much longer! Local businesses and community groups can apply for capital grants of...
A monthly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current funding opportunities - Download a printable version of the Funding Digest here Creative Foundations Fund – Arts...
The latest Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee session held on 7th May 2025, placed funding and sustainability of local government finance under close examination. Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon MP,...
The Great British Energy Bill has successfully passed through Parliament, establishing a new publicly-owned energy company aimed at accelerating the country's transition to clean energy and enhancing energy security. Overview of the Legislation The Great British...
Patients across England are set to benefit from over 8.3 million additional GP appointments each year, as part of a government-funded programme to modernise more than 1,000 GP surgeries. Backed by over £102 million from the government’s Primary...
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HOT TOPICS
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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