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THE government-backed Great British High Street competition has revealed the nation's best high streets. Twenty-seven finalists now have the chance to impress an expert judging panel and battle it out in a public vote to be...
Countryside communities must join forces to secure a fair deal from the government following Brexit, the Rural Services Network has warned. Rural Services Network chair Cecilia Motley said a united front across all rural interest groups and sectors was...
THE government has announced a fivefold increase in its Rural Services Delivery Grant from £15.5m to £80.5m. It follows months of work on behalf of rural communities and local authorities by the Rural Services Network. The Rural Fair...
Up to 50 Tory MPs are preparing to vote against the government's proposed funding settlement for rural local authorities. Prime Minister David Cameron faces a 'major backbench Tory rebellion'' over planned cuts to town hall budgets, reports The Independent...
THE Rural Services Network has told the government it must listen to MPs on the vital issue of rural funding. The network issued the warning after MPs slammed a proposed financial settlement for local authorities as unfair . ...
Government plans threaten to leave rural residents facing a hike in council tax and much reduced services. The Rural Services Network outlined its concerns as the government prepares to decide how much grant funding to allocate local authorities. ...
The government's provisional funding settlement is fundamentally unfair for rural communities, the Rural Services Network has warned. The network outlined its concerns to the proposed settlement in response to a government consultation on the issue which closed on Friday...
MPs have blasted the government's proposed funding settlement for rural areas, describing it as unfair and inadequate. The issue of government funding for rural areas was the subject of a House of Commons debate on Monday (11 January). ...
MPs and rural local authorities have called on the Government to honour a commitment to ensure rural communities receive fairer funding for public services. The call is being made by the Rural Services Network and the Rural...
RURAL people are continuing to get a raw deal on essential public services because government funding unfairly favours larger towns and cities. The Rural Services Network says countryside communities are losing out on important funding for local authorities, including...
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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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