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Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!
Rural Fair Funding
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...
The Rural Services Network (RSN) is leading a proactive response to the Government’s Fair Funding Review consultation, calling for urgent action to end the funding inequalities that continue to disadvantage rural communities — and to unlock their full potential as...
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has issued a stark warning that the current local government funding system is no longer sustainable – calling for urgent reform to protect vital services and local democracy. The Committee’s...
Digital Nation 2025 , the latest annual infographic from Good Things Foundation , paints a stark picture of ongoing digital exclusion across the UK. Using data from Ofcom, Age UK, Lloyds Bank, and its own delivery networks, the...
The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South), recently delivered a statement to Parliament outlining the Government’s new Best Start in Life strategy. The plan sets out reforms to early years services and introduces...
The Local Government Finance Settlement sets out how the Government will allocate resources to Local Authorities. The formula is very complex and takes into account varying factors and weightings to result in the local authority allocation. What funding...
Earlier this month, the Rural Services Network hosted two Sounding Board sessions for its Rural Market Town Group (RMTG), bringing together local representatives to explore the unique challenges facing both older and younger people in rural communities. ...
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...
As we recover from the excitement of Liverpool and the LGA Conference last week, it’s time to reflect on the themes we saw emerging across the three days of discussion, networking and an ever increasing step count! Overall, I...
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...
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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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