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In an ambitious move to enhance digital connectivity in some of England's most isolated regions, the UK Space Agency , in collaboration with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), has launched a series of projects...
The Rural Services Network held its Annual General Meeting at the start of December. This meeting gives member organisations the opportunity to come together to hear about the work of the organisation and our achievements throughout the year. ...
Ofcom has last week published the Connected Nations report for 2024. This report measures progress on the availability of broadband and mobile services across England and the UK. This includes providing updates on the rollout of the full fibre, fixed...
The importance of rural councils coming together was highlighted last week with an urgent meeting called by the Rural Services Network of local authority members. Following the Local Government Finance Policy Statement published on 28th November which set out...
The Government has been consulting on the Modern Industrial Strategy, Invest 2035, with growth of the economy as the number one mission of the Labour Government. The strategy is a 10 year plan that aims to deliver the certainty and...
The Local Government Association (LGA) has unveiled a compelling report highlighting the substantial benefits of investing in preventative support within social care. The findings indicate that for every £1 allocated to early intervention services, there is a potential...
Last week the Government published the policy statement for Local Government Finance 2025-2026. This included outline details of the headline allocations through the Provisional Settlement for Local Government for which a consultation will be launched in December ahead of the...
The National Audit Office (NAO) has released an investigation into the NHS Dental Recovery Plan, pinpointing major challenges and progress in enhancing dental services in England, particularly underlining the acute struggles faced by rural areas. The investigation report emphasises...
The government has announced a £3 billion housing support package aimed at unlocking more homes and driving growth within the UK housing sector. This package includes a range of guarantees designed to help housebuilders access more affordable credit,...
Through the development of the South West Mobility Strategy and our engagement with communities, Peninsula Transport has identified a case for a sweep of rural mobility pilots to be developed across the region. These will help address key...
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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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