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Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!
Future of Rural Areas
The RSN is challenging often overlooked rural threats such as chronic underfunding, changes in population and diminishing resources.
The Local Government Finance Settlement sets out how the Government will allocate resources to Local Authorities. The formula is very complex and takes into account varying factors and weightings to result in the local authority allocation. What funding...
The Government introduced the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to Parliament last week, describing it as a landmark step in its ambition to decentralise power and drive local growth across England. The Bill delivers on a...
The Government has published a new 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy , setting out a long-term plan for investment in economic and social infrastructure across the country. The strategy aims to provide greater stability and coordination in how infrastructure is planned,...
The Government has published its latest update on rural proofing: The Government’s Approach to Rural Proofing 2025 . It sets out examples of how departments have considered rural needs across areas such as housing, digital connectivity, transport and the...
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced that rural communities across the country are set to benefit from up to £38 million in funding. Up to £33 million will be directed...
The government recently addressed the Rural Services Network's (RSN) concerns regarding the new Industrial Strategy , which had been perceived as overlooking the potential and needs of rural areas. The response comes after the RSN's letter to Rt...
The government has recently unveiled the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (ISAC), a strategic initiative designed to bolster economic growth and enhance living standards nationwide. This announcement came from the Department for Business and Trade ...
The Government has announced last week a ‘sweeping overhaul of local planning committees, as part of new measures to tackle the housing crisis. Under new plans to modernise the planning approval process, applications that comply with local development plans...
This analysis presents the life expectancy by gender at birth in 2020-22. It provides for comparison the life expectancies for the rural-urban classifications. ? Download the Population Life Expectancies analysis here...
The Chancellor's Autumn Budget 2024 presents a critical juncture for rural communities across the UK. As we pore over the details in the comprehensive budget document, the Rural Services Network (RSN) acknowledges the government's efforts to address broad...
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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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