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The Government announced earlier in the year its Comprehensive Spending Review which is carried out approximately every three years to allocate funding to departments which provides certainty for government departments to plan ahead The Government asked for written representations...
The RSN believes that the Government should take the lead and work with interested organisations to produce a comprehensive long term and funded Rural Strategy. We have developed a Template Rural Strategy which sets out...
The Rural Services Network featured in this months Local Government First with an article about the Time for a Rural Strategy campaign Cllr Cecilia Motley (Con) is Chair of the Rural Services Network and Shropshire County Council’s Rural Issues...
Our Chief Executive (Graham Biggs) has had an article published for Rural Urban Connection which can be viewed below: As someone who has spent decades arguing the case for better investment by the government into our rural areas,...
The Shropshire Star reports that 30 local authority leaders have called on Boris Johnson to provide better funding for shire counties A letter has been sent to the Prime Minister outlining the need for greater funding from central government...
New research from IPPR North based on Government figures has found that the North is set to receive more than £2,300 less per person in transport spending than London The story was covered in several outlets, including MoneyExpert.com and...
Whilst media headlines have naturally focussed on the new prime minister’s plans for Brexit, the formation of a new government also has implications for local government funding It has now been confirmed that there will be a one-year spending...
Rural Services Network chief executive Graham Biggs coordinated a letter which was published last week in The Times. It expresses disappointment that the Government rejected the Lords Rural Economy Committee’s recommendation ‘for a comprehensive rural strategy to ensure the...
The Farmers Guardian covers the news that a coalition of rural organisations has written to Chief Secretary of the Treasury Liz Truss asking for changes ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The Review, assuming it takes place under a...
During Prime Minister’s Questions last week, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that the current fair funding formula ‘will make poorer areas even poorer’ and claimed the Prime Minister had ‘pushed councils to the brink’, as reported by The MJ. ...
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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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