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The Government has published its latest update on rural proofing: The Government’s Approach to Rural Proofing 2025 . It sets out examples of how departments have considered rural needs across areas such as housing, digital connectivity, transport and the...
Higher education opportunities are being increasingly restricted for the poorest young people from rural and coastal communities. The Coast and Country: Access to higher education cold spots in England shows that pupils from free school meal (FSM) backgrounds...
DEFRA’s latest Statistical Digest of Rural England (May 2025) shines a spotlight on the ongoing issue of fuel poverty in rural areas, revealing the tough reality faced by many rural households. ...
The latest Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee session held on 7th May 2025, placed funding and sustainability of local government finance under close examination. Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon MP,...
Ofcom has released its Connected Nations Update: Spring 2025 , providing the latest snapshot of broadband and mobile coverage across the UK. The report highlights continued progress in rolling out faster broadband services and improving mobile coverage but...
The Health and Social Care Committee has delivered a stark warning to Government: without fully understanding and addressing the true cost of inaction, efforts to reform England’s social care system risk inevitable failure. In its latest report, ...
The Government has introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which sets out a package of proposed reforms aimed at speeding up the delivery of housing and critical infrastructure across England. These proposals are intended to streamline the planning system, unlock...
Patients across England are set to benefit from over 8.3 million additional GP appointments each year, as part of a government-funded programme to modernise more than 1,000 GP surgeries. Backed by over £102 million from the government’s Primary...
New government statutory homelessness figures reveal that child homelessness has hit a record high for the eighth consecutive quarter, with 165,510 children now living in temporary accommodation—a 14% rise in just one year. In response, Shelter ...
The Government has announced new powers for councils aimed at tackling the persistent problem of fly-tipping across England’s streets, lanes and rural areas. Under the latest measures, local authorities will be able to seize and destroy vehicles involved...
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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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