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Rural Lens
The Rural Lens are a set of documents published by the RSN which consider key government strategy documents from a rural perspective. These are made available to our members.
At the opening of parliament on 17th July 2024, The King’s Speech highlighted a series of legislative priorities aimed at addressing critical national issues. A number of these new bills hold significant implications for rural communities, which often...
The Rural Services Network (RSN) has conducted a thorough review of the DEFRA Third Rural Proofing Report for 2024, titled " Delivering Rural Opportunity. " Published in March 2024. As an advocate for rural communities, the RSN is committed to...
The Rural Services Network has published its Rural Lens Review of the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology last month. Rural Services Network’s thoughts on the UK Wireless Infrastructure Strategy are...
The Rural Services Network has published its Rural Lens review of the Rural England Prosperity Fund Prospectus and Funding Formula. The RSN welcomes the announcement of the long-awaited Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), and we are pleased to see...
The Rural Services Network has published its Rural Lens review of the Mission Zero – Independent review by Rt Hon Chris Skidmore MP which was released in January 2023. Mission Zero, makes 129 recommendations covering areas including the greater...
Delivering for rural England – the second report on rural proofing was published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in September 2022. It follows on from Defra’s first annual report on rural proofing produced in 2021....
The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill was published and given its first reading on 12 May 2022. The Bill, “as well as delivering against some of the ambitions set out in the Levelling Up White Paper, it also...
On Tuesday last week Prince Charles outlined the Government’s priorities for the year ahead by delivering the Queen’s Speech. In response the RSN has conducted a Rural Lens Review of the Speech, identifying the following proposed bills of relevance to...
On 13 April Government published the eagerly awaited UK Shared Prosperity Fund Prospectus , to find out how rural communities have fared we have produced a Rural Lens Review of the Prospectus and Allocations . Our key...
Is the Levelling Up White Paper fit for purpose in the rural context? That’s the question being explored by the Rural Services Network in its overarching Rural Lens critique of the Levelling Up White Paper . We have...
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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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