Defra
05 Oct 2026
Almost £10 Million Announced For Community Food Projects
DEFRA has announced almost £10 million in funding to help 45 communities across England improve access to healthy, affordable food. Each recipient local authority will receive £222,000 to develop projects...
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24 Aug 2026
Defra Minister to Open RSN Rural Conference Economy Session
We are delighted to announce that Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Defra, will open the Rural Economy session at the Rural Services Network’s National Rural Conference 2026....
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03 Aug 2026
Rural Making a Difference: Turning Evidence into Action
Wednesday 16 September 2026 | 1:30pm–3:30pm | Online How can evidence, lived experience and local knowledge be used to influence policy and deliver meaningful change for rural communities? Join the...
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18 May 2026
Tougher Measures Planned To Tackle Waste Crime
A series of new reforms aimed at cracking down on waste crime, including stricter checks on waste carriers and tougher penalties for illegal dumping, has been announced by the Government,...
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21 Apr 2026
Rural Coalition Raises Key Concerns with DEFRA Minister
Rural Coalition Raises Key Concerns with DEFRA Minister
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24 Mar 2026
The Rural Reality: Heating Oil Pressures Continue
Following our recent coverage of rising heating oil costs, the Rural Services Network has continued to hear directly from members about the real-world impact on rural households and communities. As...
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24 Nov 2025
Rural Taskforce Work Progresses as DEFRA Sets Out Growth Plan
Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds used her speech at the Country Land & Business Association (CLA) Rural Business Conference last week to set out the Government’s ambition for a...
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26 Aug 2025
Call For Evidence: Support For Women And Girls In Rural Areas
DEFRA, working with the Home Office and other government departments, is developing a new strategy and action plan to address violence against women and girls (VAWG). To inform this, they...
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28 Jul 2025
Consultation Opens on Proposed Reforms to WaterSure Scheme
DEFRA has launched a consultation on proposed reforms to the WaterSure scheme, which supports low-income households in England with high essential water use by capping their water and sewerage bills....
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27 May 2025
New Figures Expose Rural Fuel Poverty Gap
DEFRA’s latest Statistical Digest of Rural England (May 2025) shines a spotlight on the ongoing issue of fuel poverty in rural areas, revealing the tough reality faced by many rural...
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