Government Policy 2026
20 Oct 2026
Rural Voice Must Be Built Into Devolution, Report Warns
Devolution could bring significant benefits to rural England, but fair funding and stronger rural representation must be part of its foundations, a new report warns. Published by the All-Party Parliamentary...
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12 Oct 2026
Devolution Was Unofficial Theme Of Labour Party Conference
Written by Kerry Booth Chief Executive, Rural Services Network While ‘Hope again’ was the official badge of the Labour Party Conference, Devolution, felt like the unofficial theme as session after...
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12 Oct 2026
SEND Funding Brings Relief, But Rural Delivery Matters
Funding to reduce historic SEND deficits will ease pressure on council finances. For rural families, the key test is whether approved plans lead to better access to support. The Department...
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05 Oct 2026
Rural Households Face 74% Heating Oil Rise As Winter Approaches
Rural households that rely on heating oil are facing sharply higher costs as winter approaches. New analysis from Action with Communities in Rural England show that heating oil prices increased...
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05 Oct 2026
Almost £10 Million Announced For Community Food Projects
DEFRA has announced almost £10 million in funding to help 45 communities across England improve access to healthy, affordable food. Each recipient local authority will receive £222,000 to develop projects...
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28 Sep 2026
What Do Rural Colleges Need To Deliver Local Skills?
Transport, access to training and the ability to recruit specialist staff all affect what rural colleges can offer. These challenges are reflected in the Government’s Future of Rural England report,...
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22 Sep 2026
Open Letter To The Prime Minister: Good Growth Must Reach Rural England
The Rural Services Network has written an open letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging the Government to ensure its ambition for “good growth in every postcode” reaches rural England....
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22 Sep 2026
Understanding Rural Is Vital For Policy Of Place To Work
Reflections on the 2026 National Rural Conference and why understanding rural realities is essential if place-based policy is to succeed. Written by Kerry Booth Chief Executive, Rural Services Network I...
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22 Sep 2026
Norfolk Plan Links New Homes With Nature Recovery
A new approach to balancing housebuilding with environmental protection is being tested in Norfolk, with the potential to support up to 15,780 new homes while funding improvements to some of...
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21 Sep 2026
Brownfield Land Could Accommodate 1.54 Million Homes
New research from CPRE suggests that previously developed land across England could accommodate more than 1.54 million new homes, slightly exceeding the Government’s national target of delivering 1.5 million homes...
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