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Rural MPs from across the political spectrum used a Westminster Hall debate on 4 February to raise serious concerns about the reliability of postal services and the future of post offices in rural and remote communities. The debate was secured...
Public Digital has published a new report exploring how local public services can move beyond crisis management towards more preventative, collaborative and user-centred models of delivery. Drawing on a Public Digital session held in November 2025, the report brings together...
A new report from the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods has set out the scale of neighbourhood-level deprivation in England and called for a long-term, coordinated national strategy to support recovery in the most disadvantaged places. No Short Cuts: Towards a...
The Rural Services Network and Silver Voices are both members of the Broadcast 2040+ campaign: a broad coalition of organisations working to ensure that free-to-air terrestrial television - service received through an aerial commonly known as Freeview - remains available...
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Rural Services held its Annual General Meeting at Westminster last week. The meeting brought together MPs and Peers to agree the Group’s focus for the year ahead with the Rural Services Network continuing to...
Britain risks falling further behind global competitors unless persistent gaps in mobile and broadband coverage are tackled and the digital landscape overhauled, parliamentarians warn in a new report. The Digital Communities All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) warns that an ongoing lack...
The Department for Transport has launched a new Connectivity Tool, designed to help policymakers, planners, researchers and communities better understand how well different places are connected by transport. The tool brings together transport and land-use data in an innovative way...
The Countryside Alliance recently hosted a parliamentary roundtable on rural digital connectivity, bringing together parliamentarians, policymakers and industry experts to explore how next-generation technology could help close the digital divide facing rural communities. Chaired by Lord Herbert, the discussion focused...
The government has announced a £3 billion funding package to support bus services and infrastructure across England, aiming to deliver more frequent, reliable and affordable services for passengers. The announcement confirms that councils will receive multi-year settlements through the new...
The House of Lords Social Mobility Policy Committee has today published its report Social Mobility: Local Roots, Lasting Change setting out how educational and work opportunities must be better integrated across the UK. The Rural Services Network contributed evidence 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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