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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
A cross-party group of MPs has called for a new independent watchdog to monitor the cost of fuel, as reported by the Shropshire Star. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Fuel has accused fuel stations of profiteering from consumers...
RSN is pleased to work with Affinity Water in a number of areas. The message they give here would be universal in respect of all the water companies across England. Each of these companies will operate a Priority Services Register...
RSN is pleased to work with Southern Water in a number of areas. Their particular operating area is Isle of Wight, Hampshire East and West Sussex and Kent. The message they give here would be universal in respect of all...
The findings of an Access to Cash Review, funded by the ATM network Link, were widely covered in the press by national outlets such as the BBC and local papers like the Express and Star. Interim findings show that...
Ofcom has found that broadband speeds across the UK increased throughout 2018, with the number of homes and small businesses that cannot access a ‘decent’ connection halving, ComputerWeekly.com reported. A ‘decent’ connection is one that offers 10Mbps download and...
Living in a rural area means a patient is 5 per cent more likely to die of cancer than a city dweller, according to a recent study by Aberdeen University, which was quoted in the Daily Mail. The researchers...
Greenmeadows Park in Gloucestershire has been revealed as the UK’s slowest residential street for broadband, according to a survey by USwitch. The road, in the village of Bamfurlong, has an average download speed of just 0.14Mbps. In comparison, Abdon...
Rural bus services have suffered as funding pressures have grown, but there is good practice and evidence of what works out there, finds Brian Wilson. The Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) has published a report on The Future of...
Carole Walker, is a former political news correspondent with the BBC. She has developed her own Podcast called 'The View from Here' and has kindly allowed the Rural Services Network to include it on their website. Talking about...
The Rural Services APPG has for some months been carrying out an Inquiry into the future funding of Adult Social Care in the rural context. The Inquiry was limited to England and has been conducted to enable the APPG to...
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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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