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MPs from across the House last week debated the urgent need for reform to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system , following a petition signed by more than 120,000 people. Contributors spoke of families battling long...
Nearly one million young people in the UK are currently NEET - not in education, employment or training. Too often, they are treated as a statistic, a problem to be solved later. But the Youth Employment UK ...
Rural England CIC has today published its latest State of Rural Services 2025 report, providing an updated and detailed picture of how people living in rural areas across England access and experience essential local services. Drawing...
Wednesday 17 September 2025 | 13:30 – 15:30 Part of the National Rural Conference 2025 Bookings now open for RSN members: View the full programme Behind every statistic is a story. Data isn’t just...
On Friday 12 September, people and organisations across the UK will mark End Digital Poverty Day – a national moment for coordinated, visible action. Launched by the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) in 2023, the day brings together...
The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South), recently delivered a statement to Parliament outlining the Government’s new Best Start in Life strategy. The plan sets out reforms to early years services and introduces...
During the 2025 University of Plymouth International, National Dementia conference organised by Ian Sherriff B.E.M. which this year was held at Plymouth Argyle conference centre a Memorandum of Understanding between Plymouth University and Nanfang College China was signed in front...
Social Mobility, An Opinion Piece by Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network Should Where You Are Born Limit Your Potential? In a report recently published by The Sutton Trust on Social Mobility, it...
Last week, Rural Services Network Chief Executive Kerry Booth gave oral evidence to the House of Lords Social Mobility Policy Committee as part of its ongoing inquiry into the barriers facing young people in rural areas. In...
Higher education opportunities are being increasingly restricted for the poorest young people from rural and coastal communities. The Coast and Country: Access to higher education cold spots in England shows that pupils from free school meal (FSM) backgrounds...
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HOT TOPICS
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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