T: 01822 851370 E: [email protected]
Rural Fair Funding
PRESS RELEASE For immediate release Friday 30 June 2017 The Rural Services Network is calling for clarity for local authorities after the Local Government Finance Bill was omitted from the government's legislative programme for at least...
Huge concern has been voiced by council leaders after the Local Government Finance Bill was omitted from the Queen's Speech. The Bill had set out a framework to allow local government in England to keep all of the £26...
The government has underlined its commitment to ensuring that rural local authorities receive a fairer share of public funding. Communities secretary Sajid Javid said delivering the fair funding review was one of three key "measures" of the government's local...
PRESSURE is mounting over government reforms which threaten to drive up rural business rates. The first revaluation of business rates by the government in seven years will see many businesses pay more due to increases in property values. ...
RURAL communities face a double whammy of higher council tax bills and fewer public services, the Rural Services Network has warned. The warning is contained in the network's response to the government's 2017-2018 provisional funding settlement for local authorities....
The Rural Services Network has called the Government's response to a Sunday newspaper article "nothing more than a smokescreen designed to mask the real issue facing rural council tax payers". The article – Rural families face double blow of higher...
PRESS RELEASE For immediate release Tuesday 10 January 2017 The Rural Services Network [1] has called the Government’s response to an article in the Sunday Express [2] on Sunday 8 January “nothing more than a smokescreen designed to...
Government plans will see small rural schools protected by a 'sparsity' funding factor have been broadly welcomed. Education secretary Justine Greening made the announcement in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 14 December. The proposals would end an...
The Rural Services Network has slammed the government's provisional funding settlement for local authorities. Rural communities will be severely disadvantaged by the settlement, which covers proposed local authority funding for 2017 and 2018, says the network. The funding...
PRESS RELEASE For immediate release Thursday 15 December 2016 The Rural Services Network – which represents more than 250 local authorities and organisations in rural areas [1] – has called for urgent talks following publication of the...
NEWSLETTER
Sign up to receive all our latest news and updates.
HOT TOPICS
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.
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates.
Part of and working with:
