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A key report mapping out how the banks intend to help preserve nationwide access to cash and branches on the high street is expected to be announced shortly according to an article in This is Money It is...
Consumer survey outlet Which? reports that Barclays has announced it will close two more bank branches in early 2022 further restricting access to cash for rural communities The news comes as the Financial Conduct Authority revealed that the number...
The Telegraph reports that Lloyds bank is closing 48 more branches due to decline in usage in recent years, leaving rural communities travelling miles away to their nearest branch The report explains that the branches are expected to be...
The BBC have reported that trials of shared banking hubs in two communities where all the branches have closed down are to be extended The premises, managed by the Post Office, include counter services, ATMs and, crucially, the opportunity...
New Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) research has found that fewer than half (45%) of residents in rural areas have a bank branch within 5km of their home, forcing those living in rural areas to travel further than the urban population...
With the Treasury’s consultation on access to cash now open, the ATM deployer NoteMachine is seeking the views and input of its allied stakeholders As part of a new report on the Future of Cash, to be shared with...
The Government has launched at consultation on 1st July 2021 on Access to Cash. It is the next step in legislating to protect access to cash and ensuring that the UK’s cash infrastructure is sustainable for the long term....
The Guardian reports on new data revealing that more than a third of shoppers have been blocked from paying with cash since the start of the pandemic, prompting calls for urgent action to protect those who rely on the UK’s...
The BBC and the Municipal Journal have reported on how pandemic has sped up the country’s journey towards a cashless society In March, ATM withdrawals fell by 60 percent, with more citizens turning online to pay for goods and...
The Guardian reports on new proposals from the Treasury designed to safeguard accessibility to cash, which could mean shops would have to offer cashback even if customers do not make a purchase The Government aims to ensure no one...
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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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