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Future of Rural Areas
Rural businesses still face barriers to housing and economic development in the countryside, say landowners. Despite government attempts to make the planning system more streamlined and efficient, the Country Land and Business Association say it is still difficult to get permission to...
The government is facing renewed calls to help fix thousands of potholes following harsh weather which has taken its toll on rural routes. Motorists are being urged to take extra care as limited highway maintenance programmes have left roads...
Commissioning local community organisations to deliver services boosts local economies, says a study. The pilot study found that together 10 local community organisations enabled approximately 1,400 jobs and £120m of gross value to be added to the local economy. Commissioned...
A new grant scheme is offering funding for land managers to restore their historic farm buildings. Launched by Defra, Natural England and Historic England, the Historic Building Restoration Grant is being piloted this year in five National Parks. ...
The UK places with the best rural quality of life are revealed in the latest annual survey by British bank Halifax. Rutland in the East Midlands has been ranked the best rural place to live in England – pipped...
A new scheme is to exempt new broadband fibre connections from business rates – benefiting rural communities, says the government. The Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2018 paves the way for full-fibre broadband and future 5G communications, says the government. ...
The Prince’s Countryside Fund is encouraging people to have their say on the challenges faced by rural residents. Fund representatives are working with Sarah Skerratt from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) on their latest research, Recharging Rural. Professor Skerratt...
New figures show community councils in England are set to spend an extra £33m on local services over the next year. The additional investment will be spent on safeguarding facilities such as public toilets, youth services, parks...
A government pledge giving everyone the right to faster broadband is welcome news – but not the end of the story, says the Rural Services Network. The government has promised that everyone in the UK will have...
Campaigners say it must be made easier for people to visit England's National Parks – including families without cars. Everyone should be able to access National Parks, including the one in four households who do not own...
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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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