Rural Environment
30 Oct 2023
BBC investigation finds rural communities still can’t afford heat pumps, despite new grants
An investigation by the BBC has found that people living in rural areas say they still can’t afford to install heat pumps, despite the government offering more financial incentives. Last...
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23 Oct 2023
New report says “electrification is the only viable option for decarbonising buildings at scale”
The National Infrastructure Commission has released its Second Assessment on the state of the UK’s roads, railways and energy networks. The report says that “the good news is that modern,...
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16 Oct 2023
New report calls on Ofgem to ensure rural is treated fairly in energy transition
New research commissioned by Citizens Advice’s shows that geography and the existing network plays in a bit part in determining the best approach to future energy supplies. The Heating homes...
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09 Oct 2023
New data reveals that there is just one electric vehicle charger for every ten miles in England’s county and rural areas
A new report from the County Council Network has found that the number of publicly-available electric vehicle charge points in England’s county and rural areas lags far behind major towns...
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09 Oct 2023
League tables show top enforcement councils for fly-tipping as the government promise more help
Figures published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs show that RSN members North Somerset Council are amongst the top 20 local authorities issuing fixed penalty notices (FPN)...
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02 Oct 2023
New tech to be trialled to boost local connectivity
The government has announced that it is piloting smart street lamps that can house EV charging hubs and boost wireless coverage, including 5G. Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire County Councils are among six areas in...
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25 Sep 2023
Government is listening to us on Off Grid heating
The Prime Minister made a speech last week, setting out what he termed a ‘pragmatic, proportionate and realistic path to reach net zero by 2050.’ The speech set out a...
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18 Sep 2023
Cornwall still feeling the legacy of G7 event
Two years after world leaders descended on Cornwall for the G7 event, more than 40 nature recovery projects are underway. The G7 Legacy Project for Nature Recovery is a five-year...
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11 Sep 2023
Government amends Energy Bill following pressure from own Minister
The Government has made crucial last-minute amends to its much-lauded Energy Bill. There has been growing concern from rural MPs over recent months that the Bill unfairly discriminates against rural...
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11 Sep 2023
Government promises £25m for new zero emission buses to connect ‘rural communities’
The Government has promised to prioritise rural communities in its £129m roll out of hundreds of new zero-emission buses. The Transport Secretary, Mark Harper MP (Con, Forest of Dean) has...
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