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Rural Communities
The Government has published the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (IoD 2025) – the seventh update of England’s official measure of multiple deprivation – alongside, for the first time, a dedicated report on deprivation in rural areas. ...
Thousands of passengers could benefit from more reliable bus services after the Government’s Bus Services Act became law on 27 October 2025. The legislation gives councils new powers to protect vital routes, create their own local bus companies...
The Lion at Ickleton, near Saffron Walden, Cambridgeshire, has opened a community café to provide a safe space to help people connect and socialise. The pub, which was reopened in June 2025 after members of the local community raised...
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has warned that the health and social care system remains fragmented and under severe strain as England prepares for a major shift from hospital to community-based care. Publishing its State of...
Digital tools and technologies have the potential to make access to health and care services easier and improve engagement and outcomes for patients. However, ongoing gaps in digital connectivity, skills and confidence in rural areas mean that health inequalities could...
A petition has been launched urging the Government to continue funding for community-led Neighbourhood Plans, which enable towns, parishes and local groups to shape development in their areas. The petition, created by Dr James Derounian, follows confirmation that government...
Community Futures is excited to announce the launch of our Lancashire Village Agents Service, which began on Monday 13th October 2025 across four rural communities in Lancashire. Funded by Lancashire County Council, this new initiative aims to address long-standing challenges...
As winter approaches, rural communities face unique challenges: rising energy costs, limited access to shops, and the pressures of keeping households warm and fed. Evouchers help local authorities, schools, charities, and housing associations support their communities needs...
A partnership between two Devon charities, Devon Communities Together and Wellmoor, has launched a new initiative to offer free support to people in Devon’s rural and coastal communities with everyday online tasks. Digital Skills Devon, which is...
Rural pubs to receive funding to help broaden their services As part of the Plan for Change, projects include community cafes, village stores and play areas For every £1 invested in these projects, over £8 social value is...
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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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