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BBC News reports that the National Farmers’ Union has launched plans to make British agriculture carbon neutral in two decades. The NFU has stated that the industry can cut emissions to almost zero by 2040 – ten years ahead...
Several publications, including the Guardian, cover a report released by the insurer NFU Mutual on rural crime The annual report details that rural crime has hit a seven-year high, costing the UK £50 million in 2018, up 12 per...
The Guardian reports on the appointment of Boris Johnson’s new Environment Secretary, Theresa Villiers The paper argues that Villiers has a ‘weak’ track record on the environment and is ‘strong’ on free trade. Previous Environment Secretary Michael Gove was...
The Independent Food, Farming & Countryside Commission hosted by the RSA in its report launched on Tuesday 16th July ‘Our Future in the Land’ has added its voice to the calls by the RSN and the House of Lords Select...
Carole Walker, is a former political news correspondent with the BBC. She has developed her own Podcast called 'The View from Here' and has kindly allowed the Rural Services Network to include it on their website. Talking about...
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has published the results of a recent survey that highlighted the extent of poor mobile and broadband coverage in remote areas, according to the websites Techradar and ISPreview. 93 per cent of farmers consider...
UK farmers and landowners have written to MPs to warn of the disastrous impact of a no-deal Brexit on food supplies, as reported by the Guardian. They expressed three main concerns: disrupted food supplies, high prices and farmers going...
New farming technology could be used to solve post-Brexit labour shortages but must be introduced carefully to avoid negative social impact, according to researchers from the University of East Anglia. Reuters reported on the research, noting that tasks such...
Five hundred farmers and rural businesses met in Westminster on Thursday 28 November to discuss post-Brexit countryside plans with Environment Secretary Michael Gove, as reported by the Darlington and Stockton Times. The day of action was organised by the...
For most people within the farming community, it is far from an easy conversation to have. But with more than one member of the farming community dying by suicide every week, mental health is a subject that can no longer...
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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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