County councils call for fairer funding
COUNTY councils have called for a new deal to end the “postcode lottery” of government funding for rural areas. New statistics suggest England’s 37 county areas collectively received £3.2bn less than the English average this year – including London and towns and cities outside rural areas. On average, county councils received £650 per person for public […]
Decline in services threatens rural life
Rural life is in decline because countryside pubs, schools and post offices are closing, says a report. Building just a few affordable homes for young families could enhance England’s towns and villages, according to the National Housing Federation study. The Rural Life Monitor tracks the rate at which key services – including schools, post offices and pubs – are […]
