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A new Chair of the Rural Coalition has been appointed following the retirement of longstanding Chair Margaret Clark CBE. Mark Pragnell took over the reins of the Coalition last week, at a meeting which included a visit from DEFRA Minister...
Last week the Government advised Local Authorities that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is coming to an end in March 2026, as set out in the latest Spending Review document. The Government will be providing targeted, long-term local growth and...
The Government introduced the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to Parliament last week, describing it as a landmark step in its ambition to decentralise power and drive local growth across England. The Bill delivers on a manifesto commitment to...
A major new research report was launched on Monday 7 July to mark the start of Rural Housing Week, setting out practical solutions to address the chronic shortage of affordable homes in rural England. The Case for Affordable Rural Housing,...
A community’s right to buy a local asset or business was announced in Parliament last week and welcomed by rural community business charity Plunkett UK. As part of the English Devolution Bill set out in the House of Commons, it...
The delivery of affordable housing remains one of the most pressing challenges facing rural communities. In many parts of England, rural house prices continue to rise faster than wages, outpacing urban increases and making it increasingly difficult for local people...
This week is Rural Housing Week 2025, an annual campaign led by the National Housing Federation to spotlight the vital role affordable housing plays in keeping rural communities vibrant, inclusive and sustainable. The week comes at a crucial time for...
The Government has announced a major new initiative aimed at tackling the housing crisis through a £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. The ten-year plan sets out ambitions to deliver around 300,000 new homes, with at least 60% of...
Last week, the Government published a new draft Local Government Outcomes Framework, setting out a proposed structure for how central and local government might work together to measure progress on key public service outcomes. The framework identifies priority areas, associated...
The Government has published its response to the consultation on reforming the Right to Buy scheme in England. The reforms are intended to retain a pathway to home ownership for long-standing tenants, while introducing new measures to help safeguard the...
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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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