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DEFRA has unveiled long-awaited national guidelines to help government departments 'rural-proof' their policies. The 17-page document was published on Tuesday (16 July). It aims to ensure that ministers and civil servants take into account the impact of...
HUNDREDS of jobs will be created in East Sussex after the county received a multi-million pound funding boost. East Sussex County Council, in partnership with the Let's Do Business Group, was successful in its bid for a share...
A MAJOR road building progamme threatens to devastate the rural environment, say countryside campaigners. Government plans for a return to major road building would fail to solve congestion in the longer term – in fact it would make...
HEALTH Secretary Jeremy Hunt aims to push ahead with plans to cut funding for rural doctors, it is reported. The government wants to phase out compensation payments for GPs surgeries with low footfall between next year and 2021...
A COALITION of MPs in one of England's biggest rural counties has urged the government to release extra money to help bring faster broadband to local communities. The Superfast North Yorkshire scheme, run by North Yorkshire County Council...
A multi-million pound contract to bring faster broadband to thousands more homes and businesses has been signed by Dorset County Council. The local authority has agreed a £31.75m deal which will see high-speed fibre optic broadband becoming available...
THE government has unveiled a £4.3m package it says will help improve services for local communities. Extra funding would see at least 100 communities deliver local services that focused on local priorities and reduce costs, it said. ...
THE government has unveiled measures to reform the subsidy system for the bus industry. Under existing arrangements, the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) for both commercial and non-commercial bus routes is administered centrally by the Department for Transport. ...
A GOVERNMENT programme to roll out superfast rural broadband has been criticised by auditors after ministers admitted it would miss its target. The target to bring superfast broadband to 90% of premises in each area of the UK...
NINE areas are to receive dedicated government support to help them deliver "better services for less" at a local level. The first nine areas to be championed by the Public Services Transformation Network were announced by communities secretary...
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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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