Access to Services

Hot Topics

03 Feb 2025

Insights from the Health Innovation Network’s Latest Report

Health disparities have long cast a shadow over the well-being of rural communities, a situation further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The recently published report by the Health Innovation Network,...

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20 Jan 2025

Advocating for Fair Funding in Rural England

The Rural Services Network (RSN) continues to express deep concern over the significant disparities highlighted in the latest local government finance settlement. The funding allocations continue to disadvantage rural communities,...

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14 Jan 2025

Urgent: Submit Your Input on Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement by 15th January

As the national champion for rural services, the RSN is committed to advocating for equitable funding across England’s rural communities. Today we will be submitting our detailed response to the...

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14 Jan 2025

Funding Boost to Enhance Early Childhood Services

The Department of Health and Social Care, along with the Department for Education, have announced a funding boost amounting to £126 million aimed at improving early years services for families...

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14 Jan 2025

Ensuring NHS Reforms Meet the Unique Needs of Rural Communities

In light of recent NHS announcements, the government has introduced ambitious reforms aimed at reducing the elective care backlog and enhancing patient access to services. These initiatives hold the promise...

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14 Jan 2025

Addressing Rural Connectivity: Challenges and Progress

The plight of poor digital connectivity in rural UK remains a significant barrier for over half a million businesses, as detailed in a recent article published by Countryside Alliance. These...

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06 Jan 2025

New Legislation to Enhance Local Control Over Bus Services Introduced

The recent introduction of the Bus Services Bill marks a significant legislative milestone aimed at revitalising public transportation across the country. The bill, which grants enhanced powers to local authorities,...

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20 Dec 2024

Rural Financial Crisis Deepens: RSN Analysis Exposes Stark Funding Inequities in Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement

The Rural Services Network (RSN) has conducted an initial analysis of the recent Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and is deeply concerned about the implications for England’s rural communities. While...

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17 Dec 2024

Devolution White Paper

The Government has published the Devolution White Paper which sets out their vision and plans for devolving power across the nation. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has vowed to make...

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16 Dec 2024

NPPF published

The Government has published its full response to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation. The Government received over 10,000 responses to the consultation, and the document published last week...

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