Local election results reveal dissatisfaction
Both the Conservatives and Labour suffered disappointing results in the local elections, with Prime Minister Theresa May admitting the Tories had a ‘very difficult’ night. The Conservatives lost control of more than 35 councils and 1330 seats, whilst Labour lost more than 80 seats in England. Smaller parties, such as the Liberal Democrats and the […]
Government urged to do more to tackle rural crime
Ahead of a debate on rural crime in the House of Lords, the Bishop of St Albans wrote an article on the website PoliticsHome urging the Government to do more to fight rural crime. He referenced in particular the effect of crime on farming communities and other rural businesses and sought to ‘highlight the significant […]
The importance of rural connectivity
Writing in LocalGov.co.uk this week, TrueSpeed Communications CEO Evan Wienburg argues for the importance of robust digital connectivity. He notes that while ‘we’re living in a golden age for young entrepreneurship’, young talent is being lost to cities and urban areas. Today’s most successful and fastest growing businesses are often ‘digitally driven’ and therefore require […]
ATM fees on the rise
ITV reports on a recent Which? survey that found more than 1,600 free ATM machines were converted into fee-paying machines between January and March this year. More than 1,250 ATMs were converted in March alone. ATM network Link, which oversees cash machines, said they have put in place specific arrangements to protect free-to-use ATMs more […]
Potential higher costs to fund rural broadband
BT could be allowed to charge more for internet connections in the countryside, according to proposed rule changes by Ofcom. The regulator’s suggested changes are designed to encourage ‘bolder investment in broadband’, according to The Sunday Times. They would see permitted to charge more to broadband providers using its Openreach network to fund high-speed fibre […]
Government vows to protect cash
Yahoo Finance reports on a Government pledged to keep 1p and 2p coins in circulation. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced plans to set up a new group to safeguard access to cash, called the Joint Authorities Cash Strategy Group. The group will comprise of representatives from the Bank of England, the Payment Systems Regulator and the […]
Free bus passes key to happiness
Following a recommendation in the recent Lords Rural Economy report that the Government review free bus passes for over-60s, the Daily Mail covers research demonstrating free bus travel equates to a happier life. University College London found that those in their 60s with access to free bus travel reported greater life satisfaction and fewer symptoms […]
