Rural Fair Funding
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 locales is costlier.
20 Jan 2025
Advocating for Fair Funding in Rural England
The Rural Services Network (RSN) continues to express deep concern over the significant disparities highlighted in the latest local government finance settlement. The funding allocations continue to disadvantage rural communities,...
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20 Jan 2025
SEND System at Breaking Point: The Growing Financial Risk to Local Authorities
A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a stark warning about the sustainability of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England. Without urgent...
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14 Jan 2025
Urgent: Submit Your Input on Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement by 15th January
As the national champion for rural services, the RSN is committed to advocating for equitable funding across England’s rural communities. Today we will be submitting our detailed response to the...
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14 Jan 2025
Government’s Response to Rural Services Network: Industrial Strategy Update
The government recently addressed the Rural Services Network’s (RSN) concerns regarding the new Industrial Strategy, which had been perceived as overlooking the potential and needs of rural areas. The response...
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14 Jan 2025
Ensuring NHS Reforms Meet the Unique Needs of Rural Communities
In light of recent NHS announcements, the government has introduced ambitious reforms aimed at reducing the elective care backlog and enhancing patient access to services. These initiatives hold the promise...
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14 Jan 2025
Addressing Rural Connectivity: Challenges and Progress
The plight of poor digital connectivity in rural UK remains a significant barrier for over half a million businesses, as detailed in a recent article published by Countryside Alliance. These...
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20 Dec 2024
Rural Financial Crisis Deepens: RSN Analysis Exposes Stark Funding Inequities in Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement
The Rural Services Network (RSN) has conducted an initial analysis of the recent Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and is deeply concerned about the implications for England’s rural communities. While...
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18 Dec 2024
Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement: England, 2025 – 2026
The Rural Services Network is meticulously examining today’s statement concerning the Provisional Local Government Settlement. We are committed to fully assessing the implications for our rural member councils, especially with...
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17 Dec 2024
Devolution White Paper
The Government has published the Devolution White Paper which sets out their vision and plans for devolving power across the nation. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has vowed to make...
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10 Dec 2024
Milestones for change, for rural?
The Prime Minister Kier Starmer last week unveiled his Plan for Change, setting out ‘ambitious but achievable milestones they aim to meet by the end of this Parliament.’ The missions...
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