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RURAL economic indicators were largely unchanged during the third quarter of 2012 – although the rate of redundancies increased. Rural unemployment (4.8%) and rural business insolvencies (0.7 per 1000 businesses) saw no change between July and September 2012,...
THE cost of living is higher for families in the countryside than it is for those in towns and cities, reveals a report. Weekly household expenditure across the UK averaged £470.70 for the years 2009 to 2011 combined,...
FARMERS can use red diesel in their tractors to help grit and clear snow from public roads during extreme weather, the government has confirmed. Under normal rules any vehicle used to clear snow from public roads using a...
THE government says it is continuing to develop new guidelines requiring departments to consider the rural impact of their policies. Defra minister Richard Benyon said the government's Rural Statement published in September had reaffirmed ministers' commitment to the...
A LOCAL authority has agreed to keep the cost of new affordable housing at the same rate. South Lakeland District Council in Cumbria said it was freezing the cost of affordable homes to help fend off a housing...
RURAL communities are set to benefit from a new injection of funding to help revive their villages through community enterprise. It comes after the Plunkett Foundation teamed up with long-term supporters the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to create a...
RURAL residents are calling on the government to abandon its planned rise in fuel duty. A freeze in fuel duty tops the rural wishlist as Chancellor George Osborne prepares to deliver his Autumn Statement on Wednesday (5 December)....
HEALTH professionals and eminent academics convened in Nottingham for the birth of the new Rural Health Network. It will enable health professionals to effectively share best practice, innovation, learning and excellence in respect of rural health services and...
Harnessing rural potential is crucial if a government drive is to maximise local economic growth, warns a report. Much emphasis and focus has been channelled towards Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) since they were introduced in 2010, says the...
RURAL insurer NFU Mutual faces a bill of up to £20m following floods across the Midlands, south-west England and Wales. Chief claims manager Matthew Scott said the company was dealing with more than 500 claims from policyholders whose...
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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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