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Visit RSN Survey about life in rural England to find out more.
Ahead of the upcoming budget announcement, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published new proposals calling on the Government to launch an Australian-style “war on bills”, with a particular focus on reducing the cost of energy...
New analysis from the Local Government Association (LGA) reveals that councils in England are facing a cumulative £3 billion shortfall in temporary accommodation funding between 2017/18 and 2029/30, a gap the organisation says is pushing local government finances...
Rural connectivity featured prominently in Parliament last week, with concerns raised both during departmental Oral Answers to Questions and later at Prime Minister’s Questions. During Science, Innovation and Technology questions, MPs pressed the Minister for Digital Government and Data on...
A RAFT of funding is available to boost sports, arts, culture and community wellbeing in Ribble Valley. But be quick off the mark, because the finishing line for applications to Ribble Valley Borough Council ’s 2025 sports and...
The Rural Services Network has released three new Rural Lens Reviews , providing our members with in-depth analysis of how key Government policies and reports impact rural communities. Through our Rural Lens series, RSN applies a distinct rural...
The government has launched the full details of its new Social and Affordable Homes programme (2026–2036) described as the biggest boost to social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Worth £39 billion, the decade-long programme aims to deliver around...
The NHS Confederation ’s State of Integrated Care Systems 2024/25: Delivering Through Change report sets out a candid picture of England’s 42 ICSs under sustained strain. It finds systems are “operating under unprecedented demand, constrained resources and uncertainty...
The Government’s Keep Britain Working Review , led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, warns that ill-health has become one of the biggest drivers of economic inactivity in the UK, costing an estimated £212 billion a year , equivalent to...
The Government has published a new Financial Inclusion Strategy , setting out an ambitious cross-sector plan to ensure everyone can access and effectively use financial services, from opening a bank account to building savings and managing debt. The...
New digital technologies will enable more NHS patients to receive care from home, under a national rollout announced last week. Dozens of areas in England are introducing remote-monitoring tools through the NHS App, allowing patients to share updates such...
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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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