Latest News
09 Mar 2026
SEND Reforms Overlook School Transport
New plans designed to help local authorities manage the rising cost of supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) leave significant questions unanswered, particularly around the growing cost...
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09 Mar 2026
Post Office Plans Still Miss Rural Realities, Says Plunkett UK
Plunkett UK has responded to the Government’s recent announcement on the future of the Post Office, acknowledging several positive commitments – but warning that the framework still lacks a full...
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09 Mar 2026
Village Halls Week to Launch in Rural Lancashire
A week-long celebration of the country’s more than 10,000 village halls will officially launch during a special opening event in rural Lancashire next week. Village Halls Week, which runs between...
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09 Mar 2026
Community Funds To Help Tackle Borough’s Homelessness
Community groups and charities in Ribble Valley can apply for a slice of £50million to help tackle homelessness. The Government has launched two funds to tackle homelessness and reduce long?term rough sleeping...
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06 Mar 2026
RSN Warns Rural Households Hit Hardest By Oil Price Surge
The Rural Services Network (RSN) has warned that rural households and businesses are particularly exposed to rising oil prices as global energy markets react to escalating tensions in the Middle...
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02 Mar 2026
New £50m Homelessness Support Package
The Government has announced over £50 million in new funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping across England, as part of its £3.6 billion National Plan to End Homelessness. The...
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02 Mar 2026
NALC Star Council Awards Celebrate Excellence
Parish and town councils from across England were honoured at the NALC 2026 Star Council Awards, held on 24 February at the prestigious House of Lords. The ceremony brought together...
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02 Mar 2026
LGIU Warns Of Deepening Financial Strain On Councils
The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) has published its 2026 State of Local Government Finance in England research, finding that confidence in the sustainability of council finances remains critically low...
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02 Mar 2026
NRCN: Call For Evidence On Serious And Organised Crime
The National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) is encouraging partners and stakeholders to respond to a new inquiry launched by the Home Affairs Committee into the impact of serious and organised...
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02 Mar 2026
Why Rural Connectivity Cannot Be An Afterthought
Rural connectivity shapes whether rural businesses can compete, whether residents can access healthcare and education, and whether communities can feel secure and connected in an increasingly digital world. At last...
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