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Speaking to The MJ , Graham Biggs, chief executive of the Rural Services Network, said he feared many discretionary services in rural areas could be lost if the Treasury announces fresh austerity measures in the Autumn Statement without acknowledging its...
Wednesday 9th November saw a Backbench debate in the House of Commons on Levelling Up Rural Britain, introduced by Selaine Saxby MP from North Devon who opened the session by highlighting a number of challenges facing rural areas including a...
The below article written by RSN Chair Cecilia Motley is featured in this months Local Government First (click here to view this article) . (NB it was written for publication before Liz Truss MP resigned as Prime Minister) ...
Blog Post by Kerry Booth, Chief Executive Designate of RSN As we prepare again at the RSN to write to the new group of Ministers, setting out the case for rural and explaining yet again how rural have...
The Rural Services Network is the national champion for rural services and aims to give rural a strong voice. The RSN often responds to Government Consultation with a rural response. We have responded to the Consultation on adult social...
As detailed in the Local Government Chronicle - Councils can expect a funding settlement covering the next two financial years and are to face greater scrutiny from a new Office for Local Government, the levelling up secretary has announced ...
A new report, launched on the 25th May, reveals the regional impact on local authorities as a result of the government’s flagship adult social care reforms, concluding that the costs of these proposals could be significantly underestimated The analysis,...
The below article written by RSN Chair Cecilia Motley is featured in this months Local Government First (click here to view this article) . Launched with a flurry of grand statements, the ‘Levelling up the UK’ White...
On the 5th April the Government announced its long-awaited funding allocations for Bus Service Improvement Plans. The RSN’s Chief Executive, Graham Biggs, comments here: “Well now we have it – or rather for most rural areas...
Public Health Allocations announced last week are yet again failing to deliver for rural communities The allocations for 2022/2023 show that Predominantly urban local authorities receive 57% more per head compared to rural local authorities. That’s an allocation of...
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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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