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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
Yahoo Finance reports on a Government pledged to keep 1p and 2p coins in circulation. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced plans to set up a new group to safeguard access to cash, called the Joint Authorities Cash Strategy Group. The...
Following a recommendation in the recent Lords Rural Economy report that the Government review free bus passes for over-60s, the Daily Mail covers research demonstrating free bus travel equates to a happier life. University College London found that those...
This newsletter on rural health is provided for the RSN and the Rural Health and Care Alliance It includes a roundup of rural health news, research, learning and best practice. If you have any information you wish to share with other...
Press release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Saturday, 27 April 2019 Rural Services Network response to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy ‘Time for a strategy for the rural economy’ report Rural Services...
The Lords Rural Economy report, published on Saturday, was covered in a range of publications, including: ITV, ISP Review, Christian Today and Farming UK. The report echoes RSN’s call for a comprehensive rural strategy, as argued for by chief...
The below article was written by Graham Biggs (Rural Services Network Chief Executive) in relation to the House of Lords Select Committee Report on the Rural Economy. This article was published in the Municipal Journal . ...
PoliticsHome.com reported on the challenges facing high streets around England. It noted recent announcements of job losses from House of Fraser, HMV, Debenhams and figures compiled by the consumer charity Which? showing that the UK has lost nearly two-thirds...
The Guardian reports on the upcoming local elections, taking place in many areas of the country on 2 May. Voters will decide on 8,200 seats later this week, as well as six directly elected mayors. 134 of the councils...
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s pledge for £1.3 billion of funding to reverse bus cuts has been widely covered in the press, including by PoliticsHome.com and the BBC. Speaking at an event in Nottingham, Corbyn promised to undo cuts made...
Former cabinet minister Damian Green has today published a report with the think tank Centre of Policy Studies in which he argues that current social care is inadequate, and the Government should be spending an addition £2.5 billion annually, according...
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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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