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A multi-million pound contract to bring faster broadband to thousands more homes and businesses has been signed by Dorset County Council. The local authority has agreed a £31.75m deal which will see high-speed fibre optic broadband becoming available...
A GOVERNMENT programme to roll out superfast rural broadband has been criticised by auditors after ministers admitted it would miss its target. The target to bring superfast broadband to 90% of premises in each area of the UK...
RURAL communities are set to benefit from a new body that will examine the challenges of living in the countryside. The Rural England think-tank has been established as an independent body by the Rural Services Network, which represents...
The rollout of superfast broadband across rural Britain has been likened to a "train crash" by the government's spending watchdog. In a "deeply critical" report due to be published next month, the National Audit Office will slam a...
MOBILE phone users are being asked to turn detective and help map reception rates across rural Britain. Rural businesses and communities received a far poorer service than urban users – despite paying the same to use their mobile...
THE deadline has been extended for applications to the government's £20m Rural Community Broadband Fund. Rural communities have just under a month to get their applications in for the final round of the fund. The deadline for...
FIBRE broadband will be rolled out to around 98% of West Sussex homes and businesses within three years. A new fibre network will transform broadband speeds across the county and its rural areas, said West Sussex County Council...
BROADBAND speeds in the countryside continue to languish behind those in larger towns and cities. Rural broadband connections are three times slower than speeds in cities, according to the latest DEFRA bulletin . In 2012, the average...
RURAL residents are being urged to help bring superfast broadband to North Dorset. Dorset County Council said communities urgently needed to demonstrate that they needed superfast broadband so they got access to the best possible service when faster...
THE government says it is continuing to look at ways of improving rural broadband services. Two thirds of premises in the UK now have superfast broadband available, culture secretary Maria Miller told the House of Commons on 18...
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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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