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Rural proofing
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...
In the lead-up to this week's General Election, the future direction of rural policy is a topic of critical importance. Recently, our Chief Executive, Kerry Booth, contributed an insightful article to LocalGov 's essay series, "NextGov," focusing on what rural...
The Rural Services Network (RSN) has conducted a thorough review of the DEFRA Third Rural Proofing Report for 2024, titled " Delivering Rural Opportunity. " Published in March 2024. As an advocate for rural communities, the RSN is committed to...
Last week the much-anticipated Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill received Royal Assent. The expected game of Ping-Pong between Houses never occurred and most of the government’s changes to the Lord’s amendments were accepted when the Bill returned to the Lords...
The government’s Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill returned to the House of Commons last week with the Lords’ amendments. These included Lords Amendment 6, proposed by Lord Foster of Bath: “Rural proofing report: Alongside the first statement of...
The Government’s Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill was discussed again in the House of Lords last week and this time the issue of rural featured heavily. In two amendments proposed by Lord Foster of Bath, the Government was challenged to prove...
Rural England’s population of 9.7 million risk being left further behind after the next general election if the political system continues to ignore the systematic inequalities facing rural communities and businesses, warn leading rural organisations. The Rural Coalition, an...
The Rural Coalition urges political parties to address rural challenges to gain ground among countryside voters 10 July 2023: Rural England’s population of 9.7 million risk being left further behind after the next general election if the political...
On 23rd February 2023, the House of Lords considered the topic of Healthcare in Rural Areas as part of a short debate Proposed by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, the full text of the Hansard debate is available at...
Delivering for rural England – the second report on rural proofing was published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in September 2022. It follows on from Defra’s first annual report on rural proofing produced in 2021....
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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.
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