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Rural Economies
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.
A quarterly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current rural economic development news, issues and opportunities New platform supports UK producers of protected food and drink names NICRE...
Bank closures and their impact on rural communities were firmly in the national spotlight last week, with the issue debated in Parliament and discussed on Sky News. Ahead of the debate, RSN Chief Executive Kerry Booth joined Sky News...
A recent report from the National Audit Office (NAO) highlights significant weaknesses in the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government ’s (MHCLG) developer contributions system in England — a key mechanism for funding local infrastructure such as schools, roads,...
A new Private Members’ Bill has been introduced to Parliament that seeks to tighten planning rules for short-term holiday lets and second homes. The proposal would require property owners to apply for planning permission before letting out their properties on...
Campaign for Better Transport is calling for an additional £1 billion a year for buses as its analysis reveals four out of every ten wards in England and Wales (3,003 out of 7,608) do not have a ‘reasonable’ level of...
The Government has published details of Proposal Development Contributions: Area Allocations , setting out funding to support areas submitting proposals for Local Government Reorganisation. £7.6 million has been made available to 21 areas in the form of Local Government...
The Government has published its latest update on rural proofing: The Government’s Approach to Rural Proofing 2025 . It sets out examples of how departments have considered rural needs across areas such as housing, digital connectivity, transport and the...
Higher education opportunities are being increasingly restricted for the poorest young people from rural and coastal communities. The Coast and Country: Access to higher education cold spots in England shows that pupils from free school meal (FSM) backgrounds...
DEFRA’s latest Statistical Digest of Rural England (May 2025) shines a spotlight on the ongoing issue of fuel poverty in rural areas, revealing the tough reality faced by many rural households. ...
The Government has published a new working paper and accompanying press release addressing proposals for community benefits and shared ownership relating to low carbon energy infrastructure. These documents are now live and open for consultation. ...
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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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