Bus journeys fall by 300 million in five years
It has been widely reported, including by the i paper, that the number of bus journeys have fallen by 300 million in five years. Analysis of government figures by the Local Government Association (LGA) shows 4.3 billion journeys were made in 2018 – 19, compared with 4.6 billion in 2014 -15. The LGA believes giving councils […]
NFU outlines plans to cut farming emissions
BBC News reports that the National Farmers’ Union has launched plans to make British agriculture carbon neutral in two decades. The NFU has stated that the industry can cut emissions to almost zero by 2040 – ten years ahead of the Government’s overall zero emissions target. Farming causes 10 per cent of the UK’s carbon […]
Retailers call for action as shop closures soar
The Guardian covers news that retailers and unions have called for government action after new data shows the number of empty shops, pubs and restaurants is ‘rising at the fastest pace in nearly a decade’ Analysis by PwC and the Local Data Company demonstrates that roughly 16 stores closed every day in the first six […]
Disproportionate impact of high street decline
The decline of UK high streets has disproportionately impacted women and people outside of London, according to the Independent A new report by the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) has found that women comprise almost three-quarters of the loss of 108,000 retail jobs over the last seven years, while […]
Rural police force achieves international recognition
North Yorkshire’s rural police force has been shortlisted for the World Class Policing Awards 2019, according to local paper York Press The force, which is the largest rural team in England, was recognised for its work on anti-poaching and anti-fly tipping initiatives. Its Operation Owl run with the RSPB, RSPCA and Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors […]
DEFRA reviews release of game birds following legal challenge
The Guardian reports that the Government has agreed to a review of the annual release of 50 million non-native game birds into the countryside after campaigners protested the lack of environmental assessment Campaign group Wild Justice argued that the ‘massive and unregulated’ increase in pheasants and red-legged partridges contravened the EU habitats directive. The Department […]
Rural Economy Spotlight – September 2019
A quarterly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current rural economic development news, issues and opportunities Rural Economy front and centre at National Rural Conference ‘Creating vibrant rural communities’ was the theme of this year’s national Rural Conference, held in Cheltenham on 3 and 4 September. With […]
