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BROADBAND speeds in the countryside continue to languish behind those in larger towns and cities. Rural broadband connections are three times slower than speeds in cities, according to the latest DEFRA bulletin . In 2012, the average...
North Yorkshire Police is stepping up the fight against countryside crime with a new rural watch scheme. Officers hope that as many local people as possible will sign up to the scheme and help make rural communities safer....
RURAL residents are being urged to help bring superfast broadband to North Dorset. Dorset County Council said communities urgently needed to demonstrate that they needed superfast broadband so they got access to the best possible service when faster...
WORRYING ambulance response times in rural areas are going unnoticed, an influential MP has warned. Graham Stuart, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Rural Services said regional data aggregation often masked poor response times in rural areas....
THE government says it is continuing to look at ways of improving rural broadband services. Two thirds of premises in the UK now have superfast broadband available, culture secretary Maria Miller told the House of Commons on 18...
THE government's communications watchdog has outlined measures to safeguard rural postal services. Ofcom measures to ensure rural needs are met include maintaining a universal postal service and increased protection for rural post boxes. Consumers would continue to...
THE Post Office is to launch its own current account in a move that could benefit rural communities without a regular bank. Some bank customers can already access financial services via the Post Office but the new account...
INADEQUATE funding for public services is among a raft of challenges faced by countryside communities. The warning is contained in a final letter sent to Defra secretary Owen Paterson by the Commission for Rural Communities before it stopped...
A new Rural Health Network has been established following a ground-breaking “Challenging Times” conference in Nottingham last autumn. The Network will enable health professionals to better share best practice, share learning about delivering high quality services to rural...
LOCAL policing teams have been provided with two new all terrain vehicles to help them cover hard to reach rural areas. The bright red quad bikes have been equipped with police livery and blue lights as well as...
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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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