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Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September. This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers,...
The Government has published a new Modern Industrial Strategy setting out its long-term vision for securing economic growth, increasing productivity, and fostering investment across priority sectors and regions of the UK. The strategy follows extensive engagement through the...
The National Audit Office (NAO) has published a critical new report examining the state of local bus services in England, highlighting a long-term decline in services outside London — with particularly concerning implications for rural communities. According to...
Hospice UK has published a significant new report, Bringing Care Closer to Home , which calls for urgent action to address the inequalities faced by people living in remote, rural and island communities when it comes to accessing...
Understanding the New RdSAP10 – What Rural Housing Providers Need to Know If you are involved in managing housing stock, planning retrofit projects, or working towards improving energy performance across rural homes, you need to be aware of...
A new report from the Institute for Government , Adult Social Care Across England , reveals stark and growing inequalities in access to publicly funded adult social care, with older adults facing the greatest disparities. The report, part...
Plunkett UK has made two key appointments to bolster its work supporting rural community-owned businesses. David Lydiat has joined as Head of External Affairs, a newly created role bringing together policy, communications and membership. With a background in...
The Rural Services Network has today published Delivering for All: A Roadmap for Rural Prosperity —a comprehensive new policy document setting out the case for fairer funding, smarter metrics, and targeted rural policy to ensure that every community can...
Friday 4 July 2025 Private Members’ Bill , Rural crime (Strategy) Bill: Second Reading, Ben Maguire, MP North Cornwall Private Members’ Bill , Short-term Lets (Planning Permission) Bill: Second Reading, Ben Maguire, MP...
Social Mobility, An Opinion Piece by Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network Should Where You Are Born Limit Your Potential? In a report recently published by The Sutton Trust on Social Mobility, it...
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HOT TOPICS
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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