T: 01822 851370 E: admin@sparse.gov.uk
If you’re not included in any fibre rollout plans, or if you have fibre but want faster speeds, have you considered a Community Fibre Partnership with Openreach? Wherever you are, and whatever you need faster broadband for, Openreach’s community...
Rural communities in the Yorkshire Dales are being encouraged to apply for funding to improve local services and and other projects. A total of 36 projects – benefitting local communities, business and wildlife – received a total of £175,000...
The Prince’s Countryside Fund is now open for applications to support community led groups and projects in rural areas around the UK. Applications are encouraged from community groups and charities to apply for grants of up to £50,000 from the fund until...
Mobile network operators are failing to submit planning applications that could help improve coverage in some of the worst served rural areas, say campaigners. Figures obtained by the Country Land and Business Association, said operators were failing to submit...
The UK places with the best rural quality of life are revealed in the latest annual survey by British bank Halifax. Rutland in the East Midlands has been ranked the best rural place to live in England – pipped...
New figures show community councils in England are set to spend an extra £33m on local services over the next year. The additional investment will be spent on safeguarding facilities such as public toilets, youth services, parks...
The Rural Services Network has welcomed a House of Lords report which says the government is failing rural communities. The "Countryside at a Crossroads" report was published by a House of Lords select committee which has been...
The government is failing England's rural communities, says a House of Lords select committee. Responsibility for rural issues should be transferred away from Defra and given to another government department, says the committee. The recommendation was...
Rural areas are to benefit from a share of £25m in funding to explore the benefits of 5G digital connectivity. 5G technology is the next step up from 4G – and allows high speed communications at internet...
Better rural broadband is as vital as the HS2 high-speed rail link, Defra secretary Michael Gove has said. Broadband is a public good of critical interest and vital benefit to a great many people, Mr Gove told...
Sign up to receive all our latest news and updates.
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 to receive all the latest news and updates.