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Better local bus services would improve employment and reduce social deprivation, says a report. A 10% improvement in bus services would lead to almost 10,000 more people in work in the poorest neighbourhoods in England, says the study....
RURAL crime is having a devastating effect in Cambridgeshire, police commissioner Jason Ablewhite has warned. Mr Ablewhite visited local farmers and rural business leaders to better understand the impact of rural crime in Cambridgeshire. Figures from rural...
SMALL rural businesses are being hit hard by the accelerating rate of bank branch closure programmes, says a report. The total size of the branch network has halved to just over 8,000 branches over the past 25 years...
UP to 1600 rural pharmacies face the threat of closure due to government funding cuts, it is claimed. A government announcement is expected to see pharmacists lose £113m in funding this financial year and £208m next year. ...
A NEW partnership to tackle rural crime has been launched in Wiltshire. The partnership brings together representatives from a number of organisations with an interest in tackling rural crime in the county. The Rural Crime Partnership for...
A £42,000 fund to help vulnerable people warm this winter has been approved in Hampshire. Tackling winter fuel poverty will be among the areas to benefit from funding for rural communities, said Hampshire County Council. Council leader...
The Rural Services Network has urged the government to use its forthcoming Autumn Statement to address challenges faced by rural communities. The network has called on Chancellor Philip Hammond to include two targeted measures in the Autumn Statement...
A MARKET town 'hub' is being heralded a success after bringing rural services together under a single roof. The public sector services 'library hub' opened its doors to residents of Glastonbury, Somerset, earlier this summer in July. ...
POLICE have launched a new operation aimed to tackle rural crime – including using drones to catch criminals. Dubbed Operation Buzzard, the initiative will coordinate all rural crime related operations in the county. These operations will make...
Local authorities have called for new powers to tackle huge business rate debts. Millions of pounds in unpaid business rates are being written off by cash-strapped councils due to a loophole in licensing and business laws being exploited....
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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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