Future of Rural Areas
The RSN is challenging often overlooked rural threats such as chronic underfunding, changes in population and diminishing resources.
18 Apr 2017
‘Rural voice must be heard in election’
RURAL communities must not be sidelined by politicians standing in the general election, the Rural Services Network has warned. The network issued the warning after Prime Minister Theresa May called...
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18 Apr 2017
Reaction to 2017 general election announcement
PRESS RELEASEFor immediate release Tuesday 18 April 2017 RSN chief executive Graham Biggs said: “The Prime Minister called this general election to strengthen the UK’s hand during Brexit negotiations.” “Given...
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05 Apr 2017
Bank closures to hit rural businesses
A fresh round of bank branch closures threatens to make life difficult for rural firms, say business leaders. Some 100 branches owned by the Lloyds Banking Group are expected to...
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02 Apr 2017
Fibre ‘best’ to bring broadband to final 5%
Fibre is the best way to bring broadband to rural areas – but it is also the most expensive, says Daniel Heery. I recently found myself driving to the heart...
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28 Mar 2017
Unfair funding formula threatens rural schools
PRESS RELEASEFor immediate release Tuesday 28 March 2017 Rural schools are losing out because an unfair funding formula has created inconsistencies in the amount of money received by similar schools...
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27 Mar 2017
Rural schools ‘need fairer funding’
Rural schools will lose out because of an unfair funding formula, the Rural Services Network has warned. Inconsistencies in funding for individual schools with similar characteristics across the country are...
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27 Mar 2017
Experts outline Brexit approach for rural policy
Experts have called for a more holistic approach to rural policy as the UK prepares to leave the European Union. It comes as the government prepares to trigger the Article...
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27 Mar 2017
The Buses Bill: What’s in it for rural services?
The Buses Bill must deliver for rural communities, says Claire Walters. Set for royal assent in May this year, the Buses Bill is being widely heralded as an opportunity to...
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23 Mar 2017
Councils highlight importance of services
Representatives from England’s 10,000 parish and town aim to raise their profile by marching on parliament. The third ever ‘Lobby Day’ by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) will see...
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20 Mar 2017
Latest ‘rural proofing’ guidance published
The government has published its latest guidance to assess the effects of its policies on rural areas. Rural areas are home to one-fifth of England’s population and a quarter of...
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