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Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!
Promoting Rural Best practice
Pip Cannons, CEO at Community Catalysts, reflects on the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year Plan and what is needed to put the vision into action. The NHS 10-Year Plan sets out a bold, ambitious vision...
Northern Powergrid is committed to support the growth of community energy in its region, coming at a time when the UK Government has set out how it plans to deliver on the ambitious target of delivering 8 GW of local...
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has published its Community Barometer 2025 , providing fresh insight into which local services voters value most and want to see more of in their communities. Based on a...
A major new research report was launched on Monday 7 July to mark the start of Rural Housing Week, setting out practical solutions to address the chronic shortage of affordable homes in rural England. The Case for Affordable Rural...
A community’s right to buy a local asset or business was announced in Parliament last week and welcomed by rural community business charity Plunkett UK . As part of the English Devolution Bill set out in the House...
The delivery of affordable housing remains one of the most pressing challenges facing rural communities. In many parts of England, rural house prices continue to rise faster than wages, outpacing urban increases and making it increasingly difficult for local people...
BT’s National Telecare Campaign is supporting vulnerable and telecare-reliant customers through the nationwide transition from analogue landlines to Digital Voice. The campaign helps identify users who may need additional support, ensuring they aren’t left behind as older infrastructure is...
As part of Rural Housing Week 2025 , the Rural Services Network was pleased to host a member-exclusive seminar on Rural Affordable Housing on Wednesday 9 July. The session brought together members from accross the country for an in-depth...
Matthew Linley has been appointed chair of National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF). He has vast experience across theatre and performing arts stretching almost three decades. National Rural Touring Forum is the umbrella membership organisation for the...
This week is Rural Housing Week 2025 , an annual campaign led by the National Housing Federation to spotlight the vital role affordable housing plays in keeping rural communities vibrant, inclusive and sustainable. The week comes at a crucial...
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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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