Government Policy 2026

Hot Topics

27 Apr 2026

Rural Impact In Focus As Clean Energy Accelerates

The Government has set out an accelerated vision for the UK’s clean energy transition, alongside renewed parliamentary scrutiny of what this shift could mean for rural communities.

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27 Apr 2026

Rural And Coastal Communities Backed In Devolution Bill

The House of Lords has reinstated a key amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introducing a specific competence on rural affairs for the new Strategic Authorities set...

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27 Apr 2026

New Queen Elizabeth Trust To Support Communities

A new UK-wide charity, The Queen Elizabeth Trust, has been established to honour the life and service of Queen Elizabeth II, marking the centenary of her birth.

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21 Apr 2026

Rural Coalition Raises Key Concerns with DEFRA Minister

Rural Coalition Raises Key Concerns with DEFRA Minister

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21 Apr 2026

Boost To Support Bus Franchising

Boost To Support Bus Franchising

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21 Apr 2026

Expansion Of Community Diagnostic Centres

Expansion Of Community Diagnostic Centres

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13 Apr 2026

Shropshire Funding Set To Fall 29% Below National Average

The Rural Services Network (RSN) has recently provided individual funding analysis to its SPARSE local authority members, examining the implications of the final Local Government Finance Settlement over the multi-year...

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13 Apr 2026

Faster Approvals For Clean Energy Projects

The Government has announced measures to accelerate planning and regulatory approvals for two major clean energy projects - Sizewell C and Lighthouse Green Fuels - by appointing the Environment Agency...

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07 Apr 2026

Integrated Transport Strategy Published

The Department for Transport has published Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport, setting out a long-term vision for a transport system that is “safe, reliable, affordable and accessible” across...

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07 Apr 2026

Questions Raised Over Reach of ‘Pride in Place’ Scheme

Plunkett UK and local campaigners in Cornwall called on the government to provide even stronger support for rural communities during a recent event at The Eden Project.

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