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A new policy framework from the Rural Services Network Every person, in every place, deserves the chance to thrive — including those living in rural, coastal and small-town communities. The Rural Services Network is proud to launch Delivering for All:...
The Government has confirmed the next phase of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), setting out decisions on new unitary authority arrangements across 14 areas in England. The announcement affects a number of Rural Services Network member authorities and marks the next...
With the summer holidays now underway in some parts of England and just about to begin in others, there is some welcome news for many families. Throughout August, children aged 5 to 15 will be able to travel free on...
A report published today by the Labour Rural Research Group explores the opportunities and challenges facing the rural economy and sets out a series of recommendations aimed at unlocking growth across rural communities. Drawing on evidence from organisations across the...
The Government has announced further reforms to the Treasury's Green Book, aiming to ensure investment decisions better reflect the needs and opportunities of communities across the UK. The Green Book sets out how government assesses whether major projects represent value...
By Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the RSN. Now that Andy Burnham has delivered his first major policy speech since launching his bid to become Prime Minister, I have been reflecting on the initiatives he set out. As a firm...
A new report from the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) and the North Pennines National Landscape has highlighted the support needs of women-led businesses across the North Pennines, identifying opportunities to strengthen innovation, enterprise and business growth in...
Recent debate around local government finance reforms has raised an important question: if councils' spending power is increasing, why are many rural authorities still concerned about the impact of the changes? Part of the answer lies in understanding what Core...
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Rural Services has launched a new inquiry examining the resilience of rural communities, with a particular focus on energy costs, off-gas grid homes and the transition to net zero. The inquiry comes amid continued...
Communities across England are set to see changes to local public services under a new government-backed “Neighbourhood Guarantee”, recently announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The proposals aim to establish clearer expectations around local services, including...
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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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