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Many police officers fail to appreciate the impact of rural crime, suggests a study. Farmer's daughter Molly Dickson investigated farm crime and farmers’ perceptions of policing in her home county of Hertfordshire. The study was undertaken as part...
Rural businesses are still struggling to get reliable mobile phone coverage and access to internet services, a survey reveals. Some 85% of farmers asked have unreliable mobile signals – despite more smartphone users having access to 4G coverage. ...
Business owners are being asked to help "unlock" the digital potential of rural Britain. The request comes at the start of a consultation launched by independent think tank Rural England and Scotland’s Rural College. It aims to help...
A £150m fund to install affordable heating solutions in fuel poor homes could benefit rural households. The Warm Homes Fund was unveiled by the National Grid and its partner company Affordable Warmth Solutions. It is split in to...
Rural crime is costing farmers as much as £42.5m a year, says a report Farmers have been victims of arson, vandalism and burglary, says the NFU study, launched at Westminster on Monday (17 July). Many have experienced fear,...
Devon MP Sarah Wollaston has taken the government to task over lack of funding for rural ambulances. Dr Wollaston, who represents the Totnes constituency, told a Westminster Hall debate her concern had been triggered by a number of incidents....
Policy makers, practitioners and academics came together at Chester University for a seminar exploring aspects of rural life in England. The event was organised by the Rural Services Network and hosted by the University's Department of Geography and International...
Urgent action is needed to tackle the impact of austerity on local services, a coalition of 12 national organisations has warned. Unless the government acts, rural areas risk becoming enclaves of the affluent, said the Rural Coalition . ...
OLDER rural people suffer from poor public services – as well as a lack of affordable housing, MPs have warned. It comes as the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Housing and Care for Older People launches an inquiry into housing...
A government fund to 'unlock' £1bn for fibre broadband will do little for rural areas seeking faster connections, say campaigners. The new Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund aims to make internet internet buffering and painfully slow download times a thing...
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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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