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This article (written by Nigel Wilcock, executive director of the Institute of Economic Development) appeared in LocalGov Whilst attention this week is on so-called ‘Freedom Day’, those of us working in economic...
The Government has launched a pilot project exploring the efficacy of fibre optic broadband cables through water pipes to help connect hard-to-reach homes, including those in rural areas The £4m fund aims to avoid the cost of building the...
The Government has previously announced Project Gigabit, where millions of people in rural England will get access to the fastest broadband speeds on the market as part of a £5billion plan to level up internet access across the UK. ...
The upcoming Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill (TIB) has motivated the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Broadband and Digital Communication to launch a new inquiry examining how reforms to the Electronic Communications Code (ECC) could help boost the deployment of “full fibre”...
The Daily Mail reports that England cricket legend Lord Botham has backed a rural partnership of nine organisations, including the Countryside Alliance, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and the British Game Alliance, called Aim to Sustain The...
The Rural Services Network has received a letter from the Minister for Digital Infrastructure Matt Warman MP, praising the organisation for its work sharing the Government Consultation on Improving Consultation for Very Hard to Reach Premises Rural Digital Connectivity...
North Yorkshire’s Rural Commission, the first of its kind nationally, has set far-reaching recommendations in a report published last week by North Yorkshire Council The report calls for the levelling up of rural communities to transform the region into...
People in rural Scotland, Wales and the North East of England will enjoy huge improvements in their mobile coverage thanks to the Shared Rural Network, a £1 billion mobile connectivity programme agreed between the country’s main mobile operators and the...
The Government has launched at consultation on 1st July 2021 on Access to Cash. It is the next step in legislating to protect access to cash and ensuring that the UK’s cash infrastructure is sustainable for the long term....
BT and OneWeb have confirmed that they are exploring using the satellite network for rural coverage in the UK, according to Capacity Media and Fierce Telecom The two companies announced last week that they have signed a memorandum of...
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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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