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The Government introduced the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to Parliament last week, describing it as a landmark step in its ambition to decentralise power and drive local growth across England. The Bill delivers on a...
A major new research report was launched on Monday 7 July to mark the start of Rural Housing Week, setting out practical solutions to address the chronic shortage of affordable homes in rural England. The Case for Affordable Rural...
A community’s right to buy a local asset or business was announced in Parliament last week and welcomed by rural community business charity Plunkett UK . As part of the English Devolution Bill set out in the House...
The delivery of affordable housing remains one of the most pressing challenges facing rural communities. In many parts of England, rural house prices continue to rise faster than wages, outpacing urban increases and making it increasingly difficult for local people...
BT’s National Telecare Campaign is supporting vulnerable and telecare-reliant customers through the nationwide transition from analogue landlines to Digital Voice. The campaign helps identify users who may need additional support, ensuring they aren’t left behind as older infrastructure is...
As part of Rural Housing Week 2025 , the Rural Services Network was pleased to host a member-exclusive seminar on Rural Affordable Housing on Wednesday 9 July. The session brought together members from accross the country for an in-depth...
Tuesday 15 July 2025 Westminster Hall Debate , SEND provision in the South East, Mike Martin MP . Wednesday 16 July 2025 General Debate, Giving every child the best start in life....
This week is Rural Housing Week 2025 , an annual campaign led by the National Housing Federation to spotlight the vital role affordable housing plays in keeping rural communities vibrant, inclusive and sustainable. The week comes at a crucial...
As we recover from the excitement of Liverpool and the LGA Conference last week, it’s time to reflect on the themes we saw emerging across the three days of discussion, networking and an ever increasing step count! Overall, I...
The Government has announced a major new initiative aimed at tackling the housing crisis through a £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. The ten-year plan sets out ambitions to deliver around 300,000 new homes, with at least...
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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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