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Barriers to Access
Rising energy bills and changes the Government is introducing to how we heat our homes means that it is important that local councils know the make-up of their local area and housing stock. The RSN has produced an...
Sparse Rural represents rural local authorities and is campaigning for Fairer Funding for Rural Areas. Rural Areas are currently unfairly underfunded in the Local Government Finance Settlement. The latest Local Government Finance Statement was published on...
Levelling Up should include the nation’s rural economies and their contribution to the prosperity of communities, according to a Briefing Paper published by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) What is the contribution of rural enterprise...
The Guardian reports on new data revealing that more than a third of shoppers have been blocked from paying with cash since the start of the pandemic, prompting calls for urgent action to protect those who rely on the UK’s...
News outlets including Farming UK and the Wiltshire Times report on widespread calls for better internet coverage across rural areas Danny Kruger MP (Con) spoke in a digital infrastructure, connectivity and accessibility debate this week in Parliament on how...
The Times has reported on warning from telecommunications firms that the Government risks missing its target of delivering gigabit broadband speeds to all parts of the UK by 2025, as rural consumers are at risk of being left behind by...
Outlets including the Northern Echo and the Helensburgh Advertiser cover news that Damian Collins MP (Con) and 22 other MPs have written to Ofcom about cuts the BBC is making in regional news and journalism Collins wrote to the...
Minister for Digital Infrastructure Matt Warman MP (Con) writes in The Telegraph that 500,000 homes and businesses now have access to gigabit-capable broadband as part of the Government’s £1 billion commitment to fund its rollout since 2018 He revealed...
Advanced Television reports that a scientist at Liverpool Hope University has called for High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) to form part of all future pandemic strategic planning, to ensure that rural areas with no internet access gain connectivity A...
The Rural Services Network is to host it’s first online seminar on 19th May for members of it’s organisation The ‘usual’ seminar programme of 7 events, one in each region around the country, each focusing on different topics relevant...
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HOT TOPICS
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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