Future of Rural Areas
The RSN is challenging often overlooked rural threats such as chronic underfunding, changes in population and diminishing resources.
23 Jan 2017
Rate reform could destroy rural businesses
Rural communities will be among the biggest losers from what is described as a radical reform of business rates. Rural enterprises face some of the steepest business rate rises in...
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23 Jan 2017
Prince’s fund donates £670k to rural communities
A fund founded by Prince Charles has unveiled £670,000 in grant support for rural initiatives. The Prince’s Countryside Fund said the money would support 19 projects across the UK through...
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23 Jan 2017
‘More help needed for rural shops’
THE government is facing calls to help secure the future of thousands of rural shops. Campaigners say action is needed so 19,128 rural shops can continue to provide essential services....
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21 Jan 2017
‘Cuts threaten to close 1000 rural schools’
More than 1000 rural schools are threatened with closure because of government funding cuts, say researchers. It comes despite a government pledge to add a “sparsity factor” to its funding...
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17 Jan 2017
‘Patchy’ services blight communities
Rural communities are suffering due to the patchy provision of key services, a major report has warned. Transport, education, health and welfare services that act as a lifeline to more...
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10 Jan 2017
Landowners outline rural housing ‘answers’
Rural business leaders have set out five action points they claim will help ease the shortage of affordable homes. The Country Land and Business Association, which represents landowners, farmers and...
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08 Jan 2017
Defra confirms £120m in rural funding
Defra secretary Andrea Leadsom has confirmed a £120m funding boost for rural businesses across England. Some £120m in funding will be made available to rural businesses – generating thousands of jobs...
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05 Jan 2017
MP backs calls for faster broadband
A Worcestershire MP is urging local businesses to help make the case for better rural broadband. Harriett Baldwin is calling on local entrepreneurs to take part in a survey to...
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02 Jan 2017
Garden villages ‘will ease housing crisis’
England’s first ever garden villages will help to ease the country’s housing crisis, says the government. Garden villages are settlements of between 1,500 and 10,000 homes. The location of the...
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23 Dec 2016
‘Sparsity’ funding to protect rural schools
Government plans will see small rural schools protected by a ‘sparsity’ funding factor have been broadly welcomed. Education secretary Justine Greening made the announcement in the House of Commons on...
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