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THE government has pledged to strike a balance between improving rural transport and protecting the countryside. Better transport was needed to connect people with the workplace and goods with the marketplace, said transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin. "The...
BRITAIN'S slowest broadband speeds continue to be found in market towns and rural areas, confirms a report. The slowest street for broadband is Cromarty Road in Stamford, Lincolnshire, claims the price comparison website uSwitch . With a...
RURAL areas have fewer police officers per head of population than urban areas, it has emerged. Details of police numbers were obtained by the Countryside Alliance. It published the figures ahead of the first ever Police & Crime...
RURAL crime – from metal theft to livestock rustling – will top the agenda at a police conference. The second annual ACPO Rural Crime Seminar will take place on Thursday (8 November) at Kettering, Northamptonshire. Building on...
THOUSANDS of street lights are being turned off by local authorities, reveals a survey. Some 3,080 miles of motorways and trunk roads in England are now completely unlit, according to the Sunday Telegraph . Local councils are...
RURAL residents are being urged to reduce their fuel bills by saving energy as part of a new national awareness campaign. People can save up to £650 a year by cutting their annual energy bills, according to the...
BUSINESS leaders have unveiled a manifesto spelling out rural needs when it comes to cutting crime. The Country Land and Business Association published the manifesto ahead of the Police and Crime Commissioners' (PCCs) elections on 15 November. ...
Rural stakeholders are urged to register for a free conference on ways of delivering health services. The one-day event, Challenging Times – Working together to deliver effective rural health services , is being held on 26 November. ...
DEFRA secretary Owen Paterson has vowed to tackle Britain's poor rural mobile phone network. Improving poor mobile phone reception in the countryside was an issue of national importance, Mr Paterson told a fringe meeting at the Conservative Party...
A GOVERNMENT scheme aims to help local people become part-owners of much-loved local assets and services. Launched by communities minister Don Foster, the Community Shares Unit encourages people to take a stake in their community pub, football club...
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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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