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Future of Rural Areas
Rural areas could become "cash deserts" unless a solution is found to a dispute over ATM fees, it has been claimed. The argument is between some banks and independent cash machine providers. Members of Link, operator of the...
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 England, according to league tables seen by The Times...
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 its grant giving programme. The fund has awarded...
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. Many village stores double up as the local...
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 formula that takes into account a school's location and...
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 than 9m rural people are patchy – and many...
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 rural businesses, said it wanted to remind the government...
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 in rural communities, she said. Mrs Leadsom made...
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 help Worcestershire County Council to get more investment to...
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 first 14 garden villages was announced by the government...
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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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