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Future of Rural Areas
The government’s rural housing enabler scheme took another step forward last week as the first round of funding was awarded. The first payments were given to local partners in Cambridgeshire and Northumberland as part of a £2.5m package to...
Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network reflects on the King's Speech, due to take place today. This is the first King's Speech since King Charles became monarch. It marks the start of the Parliamentary year and...
The government’s Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill returned to the House of Commons last week with the Lords’ amendments. These included Lords Amendment 6, proposed by Lord Foster of Bath: “Rural proofing report: Alongside the first statement of...
Following calls from the RSN for more investment in Rural Market Towns ( see Bulletin 2.10.2023 ) after the government unveiled its Long-tern Plan for Towns, the Industrial Communities Alliance has added its voice to the conversation. Analysis carried...
Over 100,000 new homes, which the government says have been “held up due to defective EU laws” , will now go ahead before 2030, delivering an estimated £18 billion boost to the economy. Through an amendment to the Levelling...
RSN members are being invited to find out more about how to deliver net-zero homes and low carbon retrofit. The conference on Tuesday 5 September 2023 has three workstreams focussed on net-zero newbuild, low carbon retrofit, and community-led housing. ...
The Government is seeking views from local authorities in England on what constitutes best value and what standards the Secretary of State for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities should expect. The consultation is looking at how local authorities interpret the...
The Planning Inspectorate is working close with the Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities to review the services offered to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP). Areas under consideration include reshaping pre-application service support and looking at how processes could be...
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has this week launched a new consultation on the best ways we can protect our hedgerows. As the EU’s land-based subsidies are replaced with new farming schemes, there is also...
A review of Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, has been launched to ensure the body is delivering for the taxpayer. Homes England is one of 40 government Arm’s Length Bodies chosen for a routine review as...
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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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