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The Rural Services Network (RSN) is thrilled to announce the National Rural Conference 2024, taking place from 16th to 19th September. This virtual event, accessible via Zoom, is the premier gathering for senior officers, members, policymakers, and rural service professionals.
Further information and booking details can be found here
The RSN is calling on government to produce a fully funded, comprehensive rural strategy. In this strategy there are a number of areas which we believe are linked, and need to be addressed to produce a vibrant rural community. One...
The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) is seeking co-signatures for an open letter to Barclays CEO Jes Staley The NFSP is requesting that the bank reverse its decision to cease allowing customers to withdraw cash at post...
The RSN believes that the Government should take the lead and work with interested organisations to produce a comprehensive long term and funded Rural Strategy. We have developed a Template Rural Strategy which sets out...
Against the trend of reducing rural bus services, a new seasonal bus tour service in the Hope Valley was launched by the Peak District National Park Authority in July 2019. The Hope Valley Explorer aims to...
The Guardian reports a decision by Barclays to pull out of an agreement allowing bank customers to withdraw cash from post offices for free has been criticised as “shocking”. The bank is the only one to scrap over-the-counter cash...
Some of the hardest-to-reach rural places in the UK are now eligible for government funding towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable* broadband to homes or businesses when part of a group project, thanks to the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. ...
An article published in the Yorkshire Post argues the importance of post offices to rural communities. It notes that post offices often support other small shops that have sprung up around them and is a ‘life-force for many fragile...
ITV News reports that Barclays bank has pledged not to close bank branches in remote areas, or where the bank is the last in the area for two years. Barclays said the freeze on closure will protect more than 100...
New research from uSwitch.com demonstrates that the introduction of 5G across the country will not solve the UK’s rural connectivity problems ITV reports on the survey that found that a third of adult smartphone users in the UK have...
Openreach has announced a trial of new tools and techniques as it works to upgrade 13 rural communities in the UK to faster, more reliable broadband The website CommsBuiness covers the story, reporting that engineers will be deploying full...
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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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