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Government Policy 2025
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 announced a major new initiative aimed at tackling the housing crisis through a £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. The ten-year plan sets out ambitions to deliver around 300,000 new homes, with at least...
Last week, the Government published a new draft Local Government Outcomes Framework , setting out a proposed structure for how central and local government might work together to measure progress on key public service outcomes. The framework identifies priority...
The Department of Health and Social Care has released its new 10-Year Health Plan for England , outlining how the NHS will be reshaped over the next decade to improve patient care, reduce waiting times, and address long-standing workforce...
The Government has published a new Modern Industrial Strategy setting out its long-term vision for securing economic growth, increasing productivity, and fostering investment across priority sectors and regions of the UK. The strategy follows extensive engagement through the...
Last week, Rural Services Network Chief Executive Kerry Booth gave oral evidence to the House of Lords Social Mobility Policy Committee as part of its ongoing inquiry into the barriers facing young people in rural areas. In...
The Government has published a major Written Ministerial Statement setting out the next stage of its plans to reform how local government in England is funded — and how council tax is administered. In the statement...
The House of Commons Transport Committee has published the Government’s response to its report Access Denied: Rights versus Reality in Disabled People’s Access to Transport . The report highlights the persistent barriers faced by disabled people across...
Affordable Housing Need 50% Greater in Rural Areas, Report Reveals England’s rural communities are experiencing an affordable housing crisis of unprecedented scale, with the need for affordable homes is more than 50% higher than in urban areas,...
The Rural Services Network welcomes the publication of today’s Spending Review as an important marker of this new government’s priorities — and we particularly note the Chancellor’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of growth and investment are...
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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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