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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
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the last Rural White Paper, a one day conference will consider how a new Rural Strategy can deliver for rural communities in England and call on the Government to produce such a strategy....
This newsletter is provided by the Rural Health Network, part of the Rural Services Network. It includes a roundup of rural health & social care news, research, learning and best practice. ...
Priority Services Register: free services for you, a friend or a family member By registering for our Priority Services Register, you can: Receive prior warning of planned work which may interrupt your water supply Receive priority treatment should...
Rural England CIC held its 2nd Annual Rural Vulnerability Day in the Houses of Parliament on 11th February and at the event, launched their latest State of Rural Services Report. The event was hosted by Phillip Dunne MP,...
UK’s most vulnerable being deprived of cash despite industry-wide calls for intervention The UK’s most vulnerable people like the elderly and lower earners are being deprived from accessing the cash they so desperately depend upon to go about their...
Tes reports this week on a joint report by Plymouth Marjon University and Plymouth University that called for ministers to review how schools bid for government support to improve access for isolated schools. The report, after surveying 61 schools,...
Rural broadband specialists, County Broadband, have secured a £46 million investment from Aviva Investors, according to Total Telecom. The report suggested that County Broadband are now able to proceed with a ‘fibre to the home’ (FTTH) rollout programme thanks...
The Federation of Small Businesses and Which? have jointly called for a regulator to ensure companies and shoppers who rely on cash are not disadvantaged, as reported by CityA.M. It comes after Which? found that 25,000 cash machines were...
Basic mobile calls are not possible across main networks in a third of rural homes. The report also finds that rural residents are losing out as bus services are scrapped. Residents of rural England are being cut off...
The Telegraph and Mail both reported on Rural England’s biannual State of Rural Services report, which fund that a third of rural households are unable to make a basic mobile call across the main network, and that more than half...
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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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