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We are still here at the RSN for all of our customers and partners. We remain working from home, ready to support you all to ensure that the rural voice is heard at a national level. We'd love to hear from you if you have any queries or want to get in touch admin@sparse.gov.uk
On Monday 15th June, Marion Fellows (SNP) tabled a debate asking what steps are being taken to support the sustainability of the post office network.
On Tuesday 16th June, Tim Farron (LD) argued in a debate about public passenger transport, that rural, more isolated communities must be included in the Government’s refusal to ‘leave communities behind’.
During Prime Minister’s engagements on Wednesday 17th June, Selaine Saxby (Con) said that COVID-19 has underlined the importance of improving broadband infrastructure, and that extending the existing relief on business rates for new full-fibre infrastructure could see the release of the investment needed to level up rural areas.
On Thursday 18th June, during the second reading of the Parliamentary Constituencies Bill, John Spellar (Lab) raised the issue of ‘local identity for rural areas and small towns’, and the effect of identity on neighbourhoods and communities in conurbations.
During a debate on Free School Meals, Tim Farron (LD) argued that for free school meal vouchers in rural communities, there are issues around accessibility to supermarkets for which families have a voucher.
On Tuesday 16th June, Chris Loder (Con) tabled a debate on what steps the Government is taking to support the recovery of businesses in rural areas and market towns during the COVID-19 outbreak. He asked the minister to meet him to look at how they can support initiatives to boost the local economy including virtual high streets and collaborating to improve accessibility of local brands to those who may not be able to get to the town.
On Friday 19th June, the Government announced it is extending measures to prevent struggling high street businesses from eviction over the summer. Education Minister Gavin Williamson also announced a £1 billion COVID-19 ‘catch-up’ package to tackle the impact of lost teaching time as plans continue for a full return to education from September. £650 million will be shared across state primary and secondary schools over the 2020/21 academic year.
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