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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!
Rural Digital Connectivity
A new policy framework from the Rural Services Network Every person, in every place, deserves the chance to thrive — including those living in rural, coastal and small-town communities. The Rural Services Network is proud to...
Digital Nation 2025 , the latest annual infographic from Good Things Foundation , paints a stark picture of ongoing digital exclusion across the UK. Using data from Ofcom, Age UK, Lloyds Bank, and its own delivery networks, the...
The latest NFU digital access survey reveals that rural broadband and mobile coverage still falls short of what British farming businesses need – with over a fifth of respondents unable to access even a ‘decent’ internet...
The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South), recently delivered a statement to Parliament outlining the Government’s new Best Start in Life strategy. The plan sets out reforms to early years services and introduces...
Landlines are going digital. Are you ready? Landlines in the UK are going digital and by January 2027, most calls will be made over broadband. BT has worked closely with charities and representative groups, including...
Authored by Mobile UK The UK's mobile networks are undergoing a significant evolution, moving towards faster, more efficient 4G and 5G technologies. As part of this vital upgrade, older 2G networks will be switched off. While there's a ...
In 2022, five organisations came together to launch the Broadcast 2040+ campaign over a shared concern: there was no Government commitment to keeping broadcast TV and radio available beyond 2034. The campaign’s message is simple: millions of people enjoy and...
Earlier this month, the Rural Services Network hosted two Sounding Board sessions for its Rural Market Town Group (RMTG), bringing together local representatives to explore the unique challenges facing both older and younger people in rural communities. ...
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...
Young Somerset has published its latest Impact Report , offering a powerful insight into the breadth of support provided to children, young people and families across the county. Originally founded as the Somerset Rural Youth Project, Young...
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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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