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The Rural Services Network (RSN) is thrilled to announce the National Rural Conference 2024, taking place from 16th to 19th September. This virtual event, accessible via Zoom, is the premier gathering for senior officers, members, policymakers, and rural service professionals.
Further information and booking details can be found here
Boris Johnson was in Devon last week as part of the campaign trail, with several visits covered by local newspaper Devon Live He visited Chulmleigh Academy in North Devon and was quizzed on ‘years of underfunding that rural schools…have...
The BBC reports that Labour has promised to give every home and business in the UK free full-fibre broadband by 2030, if it wins the general election The party would nationalise part of BT to deliver the policy and introduce...
Recently released data from the Government shows broadband speeds for every constituency in the country Click on the link below and type in your constituency to see your data. → Compare you broadband speed here It...
According to the Government’s press release, “Poor mobile phone coverage will be a thing of the past as the Government champions a £1 billion deal with the mobile phone industry to banish rural not-spots. Moves to cement plans...
The Financial Times reports that the telecoms regulator Ofcom has backed a plan for the sector to share masts and build new towers in remote areas in order to tackle rural connectivity ‘not spots’ Mobile operators spent several months...
Poor mobile connectivity is a significant issue for many rural residents and businesses The Rural Services Network is therefore pleased that agreement has been reached for more mast sharing between mobile network operators as a means to improve the...
The RSN is calling on government to produce a fully funded, comprehensive rural strategy. In this strategy there are a number of areas which we believe are linked, and need to be addressed to produce a vibrant rural community. One...
Some of the hardest-to-reach rural places in the UK are now eligible for government funding towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable* broadband to homes or businesses when part of a group project, thanks to the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. ...
Chair of the Lords Rural Economy Select Committee Lord Foster of Bath has argued this week in Politics Home that the Government needs to implement a comprehensive rural strategy. He says that rural residents have for a long time...
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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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