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CHANGES to the law which would allow tractors to use "red diesel" for gritting roads have been published by the government. Currently, only purpose built or adapted gritters may use red diesel when they are being used to...
RURAL Yorkshire could be next in line for a government-backed fuel duty discount, it has emerged. Prime Minister David Cameron said he wanted proposals for a fuel duty discount for people living in rural Yorkshire to progress "swiftly"....
RURAL areas face being hardest hit by the government's green energy plans, ministers have been told. Government estimates suggest energy and climate change policies will push up electricity prices by 27% by 2020, claims Calor Gas . ...
NEW rules have come into force allowing communities to bid to take over local services they believe they can run better themselves. The Community Right to Challenge is part of the government's "localism" drive to hand more power...
LIBRARIES are hosting unusual events such as speed-dating as they strive to keep open amid budget cuts. Councils have found innovative ways to keep providing library services while managing a 28% budget cut announced in 2010, shows the...
RURAL residents may miss out on faster broadband connections unless they respond to a special survey. The CSW Broadand project aims to bring speeds of up to 24Mbps across Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire in the West Midlands. ...
RURAL areas receive lower funding and spend less on social care – despite having more older people than urban local authorities, reveals a report. Rural authorities which tend to have older and less deprived populations receive lower grant...
RURAL residents are to attend discussion groups as part of a review of library services in East Sussex. The review is being undertaken by East Sussex County Council , which is is examining how it provides rural and...
MPs have demanded that ambulances respond quicker to life-threatening rural emergencies. The joint call was made by Dan Poulter , MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich; and Peter Aldous , MP for Waveney in north-east Suffolk. ...
BUDGET reductions have forced a review of local bus services in Leicestershire. Leicestershire County Council is inviting residents to have their say on plans to save £750,000 over two years by replacing under-used bus services with more flexible...
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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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