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CHEAPER energy bills could be offered to rural communities that agree to local shale-gas extraction. Fracking involves forcing shale-gas out of the ground by blasting water into rocks. But environmentalists say the practice can cause earth tremors and...
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...
A "major landmark" for the coalition government will help boost local economic growth, say ministers. The Growth and Infrastructure Act became law on Thursday (25 April). The government claims the law will encourage growth by reducing unnecessary...
THE final share of a £20m funding pot to alleviate homelessness has opened for bids. Housing minister Mark Prisk called on the voluntary sector, social enterprises and homelessness charities across the country to bid a share of the...
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....
POLICY-MAKERS could do more to encourage the economic potential of rural areas, say experts. The economic potential of the countryside is often overlooked, suggests the policy and practice note from the Centre for Rural Economy at Newcastle University....
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...
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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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