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Royal Mail has announced a proposed overhaul of its service, aiming to address the challenges of plummeting letter volumes and financial losses. The proposal includes maintaining a six-day-a-week delivery service for first-class letters but reducing the frequency of...
Amid escalating concern about high-speed broadband infrastructure and connectivity, the essential role of digital terrestrial television (DTT), also known as Freeview, and broadcast radio services cannot be overstated, especially for millions of UK families living in rural communities. These...
The landscape of digital inclusion across the UK's rural communities is undergoing a critical examination, underscored by the comprehensive studies conducted by the University of Liverpool and its partners. The findings, presented in the " A Minimum Digital Living Standard...
In the heart of England's picturesque countryside, where the pulse of rural communities beats strongest, the Rural Services Network (RSN) is excited to announce the launch of the Rural Village Service Group (RVSG). This initiative comes on the heels of...
The impending closure of the last two bank branches in Alnwick, Northumberland — Lloyds and Halifax — scheduled for January 2025, has not only highlighted the challenges faced by this historic market town but also shed light on a broader...
A quarterly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network and produced in partnership with the Rural Housing Alliance, highlighting a selection of current rural housing issues and opportunities Affordable rural housing manifesto launched Ahead...
This week's edition of our Winning the Rural Vote Campaign shines a spotlight on a cornerstone of modern rural development and prosperity: Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural Communities. In today's fast-paced, interconnected world, the availability of reliable...
The recent report by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), “ Delivering Rural Opportunity ,” casts a spotlight on Rural Exception Sites as a promising avenue to mitigate the rural housing crisis. The document elaborates on significant...
Recent groundbreaking research spearheaded by the Universities of Kent and Southampton and featuring Turning Tides , has peeled back the layers on rural homelessness, particularly highlighting the escalating situation in areas like West Sussex. This pioneering study unveils the nuanced...
The recent report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, " Raising the Barriers ," funded by Alzheimer's Society , reveals a troubling postcode lottery affecting the timeliness and quality of dementia diagnoses across England, particularly in rural and...
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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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