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THE government's £1.4bn regional growth fund is failing to deliver value for money, says the official financial watchdog. The fund was established to support private sector jobs and growth in places that rely on the public sector. ...
FORGOTTEN rural communities must be treated more fairly, an MP has warned. Neil Parish, Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton , said greater fairness was needed in the shaping of government energy and environmental policy. The coalition...
A BILL to establish new arrangements for auditing local bodies was included in the Queen's Speech. The draft Audit Bill will be published during the summer for pre-legislative scrutiny. It will be debated by MPs as soon...
MINISTERS are continuing to seek meetings with 17 rural networks set up as a 'hotline to the heart of government'. The rural and farming networks were established earlier this year to help ensure government policies take on board...
MPs have called for a fairer deal from the government for rural communities. The issue of rural communities was debated in a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday (17 March). Simon Hart, MP Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire,...
GOVERNMENT support for rural communities is to be debated by MPs. The Westminister Hall debate is scheduled for 11am–12.30pm on Tuesday (17 April). It will be led by Simon Hart , Tory MP for Carmarthen West and...
THE government has unveiled the long-awaited final version of its National Planning Policy Framework. The 50-page document, which replaces over 1,300 pages of policy in 44 separate documents, was published on Tuesday (27 March). Planning minister Greg...
A £15m project to boost the rural economy will create more than 3,000 jobs and 700 businesses, claims the government. "Great business ideas have been held back by the challenges of a rural location for far too long,"...
RURAL communities are unlikely to benefit from the government's latest budget, stakeholders have warned. Plans to increase fuel duty are especially likely to hit rural residents and businesses hardest, believe community leaders. The feeling is that any...
THE Liberal Democrats have urged the government to abandon plans to abolish the Commission for Rural Communities. Lib Dem rural spokesman Andrew George MP said the government should instead beef up its plans for rural policy by retaining...
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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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