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The House of Lords Social Mobility Policy Committee has today published its report Social Mobility: Local Roots, Lasting Change setting out how educational and work opportunities must be better integrated across the UK. The Rural Services...
New analysis from the County Councils Network (CCN) warns that England’s SEND system is “on course for total collapse” unless the government brings forward long-promised reforms. The CCN–Isos Partnership report shows rapidly rising demand, escalating costs and widening...
The Environmental Audit Committee has published a report on Environmental Sustainability and Housing Growth , concluding that nature is not a “blocker” to new housing and warning that environmental protections must not be weakened as the Government...
Ahead of the upcoming budget announcement, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published new proposals calling on the Government to launch an Australian-style “war on bills”, with a particular focus on reducing the cost of energy...
New analysis from the Local Government Association (LGA) reveals that councils in England are facing a cumulative £3 billion shortfall in temporary accommodation funding between 2017/18 and 2029/30, a gap the organisation says is pushing local government finances...
Rural connectivity featured prominently in Parliament last week, with concerns raised both during departmental Oral Answers to Questions and later at Prime Minister’s Questions. During Science, Innovation and Technology questions, MPs pressed the Minister for Digital Government and Data on...
The Rural Services Network has released three new Rural Lens Reviews , providing our members with in-depth analysis of how key Government policies and reports impact rural communities. Through our Rural Lens series, RSN applies a distinct rural...
The government has launched the full details of its new Social and Affordable Homes programme (2026–2036) described as the biggest boost to social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Worth £39 billion, the decade-long programme aims to deliver around...
The NHS Confederation ’s State of Integrated Care Systems 2024/25: Delivering Through Change report sets out a candid picture of England’s 42 ICSs under sustained strain. It finds systems are “operating under unprecedented demand, constrained resources and uncertainty...
The Government’s Keep Britain Working Review , led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, warns that ill-health has become one of the biggest drivers of economic inactivity in the UK, costing an estimated £212 billion a year , equivalent 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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