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The Rural Services Network (RSN) is thrilled to announce the National Rural Conference 2024, taking place from 16th to 19th September. This virtual event, accessible via Zoom, is the premier gathering for senior officers, members, policymakers, and rural service professionals.
Further information and booking details can be found here
THE Liberal Democrats have urged the government to abandon plans to abolish the Commission for Rural Communities. Lib Dem rural spokesman Andrew George MP said the government should instead beef up its plans for rural policy by retaining...
RURAL communities in East Sussex are being urged to join the push for superfast broadband. Residents and businesses are being asked to join an East Sussex County Council campaign for better access to reliable and faster broadband within...
YOUNG rural drivers are more likely to be involved in a car crash than urban youngsters, reveals a study. Younger country motorists are 37% more likely to be involved in an injury collision than their urban counterparts, it...
BUSINESS and community leaders attending roadshows with government ministers are helping shape action to support rural areas. Taking part in her first Rural Roadshow, Defra secretary Caroline Spelman visited Yorkshire to meet the Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural...
MORE than half of England's countryside is at risk from proposals to reform the planning system, claim campaigners. Maps published by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) suggest 55% of England's countryside will face an increased threat...
Government plans to revive tenants' rights to buy their council house are unlikely to work in rural areas, the government has been told. Current proposals threaten to reduce the amount of social housing in villages and hamlets across...
CULTURE minister Ed Vaizey has praised the enthusiasm of councils rolling out superfast broadband. "Britain needs fast broadband to drive economic growth and connect remote communities," he said. We are making a significant investment in taking broadband...
Rural residents save more money than their urban counterparts, reveals a survey. People in the countryside are also putting away more in relation to their earnings, according to latest research from Halifax. Savers in rural areas have...
PLANNING experts have called on the government to unlock the potential of the rural economy. The Vision for the Rural Economy policy statement was published by the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA). Meeting the needs of...
MPs fighting for fairer rural funding have taken their case to Prime Minister David Cameron. A cross-party group of MPs led by Graham Stuart met with Mr Cameron at 10 Downing Street on Monday (16 January). Mr...
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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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