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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...
Public funding cuts are contributing to a dramatic shrinking of Britain's bus network, suggests a study. Britain's bus routes have lost 134 million miles of coverage over the past decade alone, according to the BBC Local News...
Church spires across the UK will be used to boost digital connectivity and broadband speeds in rural areas. The decision follows an agreement between the government and the Church of England. It encourages the Church of...
Farm leaders have stepped up their calls demanding fairer funding for rural police forces. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) said rural communities were being "left behind" despite rising levels of concern about crime. Police funding plans would...
A 4G antenna launched by telecoms giant EE can connect isolated rural homes to superfast broadband. The 4G antenna is being introduced following trials in Cumbria where it providing rural homes with connections as fast as fibre. The...
An important initiative to help safeguard vulnerable people is taking place in north-west England. Electricity North West – the company distributing electricity across Cumbria and Lancashire; and United Utilities, the water company for the region, are working together...
A 10-minute survey aims to uncover how broadband availability impacts on rural businesses in England. The survey is being undetaken by Jenny Bennett – a final year student at Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire. Ms Bennett...
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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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