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Under the Provisional Settlement proposals, the gap in funding between rural and urban areas will, in fact increase. There is therefore a continuation of historic underfunding and unfairness for rural communities. Once again, through the proposals, rural residents, communities,...
The RSN Chief Executive, Graham Biggs MBE, has written an article which was featured in the Fabian Policy Report. A copy of this article is provided below. No-one should Be disadvantaged by where they live. This...
The gap in funding is increasing yet further The Government yesterday announced the Provisional Settlement for Local Government for 2023/2024 and launched the consultation on the proposals which close on 16th January 2023. This followed a Local Government...
The Rural Services Network is dismayed with the Autumn Statement released on the 17th November where the Chancellor set out plans to allow Councils to increase Council Tax by 5% in 2023/24. Although all Councils, including those serving rural...
Speaking to The MJ , Graham Biggs, chief executive of the Rural Services Network, said he feared many discretionary services in rural areas could be lost if the Treasury announces fresh austerity measures in the Autumn Statement without acknowledging its...
Wednesday 9th November saw a Backbench debate in the House of Commons on Levelling Up Rural Britain, introduced by Selaine Saxby MP from North Devon who opened the session by highlighting a number of challenges facing rural areas including a...
The below article written by RSN Chair Cecilia Motley is featured in this months Local Government First (click here to view this article) . (NB it was written for publication before Liz Truss MP resigned as Prime Minister) ...
Blog Post by Kerry Booth, Chief Executive Designate of RSN As we prepare again at the RSN to write to the new group of Ministers, setting out the case for rural and explaining yet again how rural have...
The Rural Services Network is the national champion for rural services and aims to give rural a strong voice. The RSN often responds to Government Consultation with a rural response. We have responded to the Consultation on adult social...
As detailed in the Local Government Chronicle - Councils can expect a funding settlement covering the next two financial years and are to face greater scrutiny from a new Office for Local Government, the levelling up secretary has announced ...
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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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