Rural Areas still missing out
The Rural Services Network has long campaigned for fair funding for rural areas. Along with our member local authorities, we aim to influence government policy to fully recognise and address the issues faced by rural communities across England including full recognition of the additional costs of service provision faced by local authorities providing services to […]
£3,000 ‘rural penalty’ for countryside residents
The Telegraph has revealed analysis showing households in the countryside suffer, on average, a £3,300 “rural living penalty” as they pay more for everyday services than urban dwellers A study by BoilerJuice Connected, utilising the Office for National Statistics data, showed the cost of essential goods for those in rural areas is rising significantly faster than the […]
Treasury considering new laws to protect the use of cash
CityAM reported over the weekend that the Treasury is drawing up plans to protect the availability of cash amid concerns over declining access to ATM machines for older people and those from rural communities Officials are understood to be in detailed discussions about how to combat the decline of cash ahead of the Budget next […]
MP column: BBC needs to be “properly challenged” over digital rural services
The Conservative MP for West Dorset, Chris Loder, writes in The Bridport News this week that the BBC’s plans to cut airtime of BBC Radio Solent’s Dorset Breakfast Show and end the text-based Red Button service will disproportionately affect rural communities in his constituency. Following Loder’s intervention, BBC Director General Lord Hall has confirmed that […]
‘Land Banking’: Councils say 1m homes given go-ahead but not yet built
BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme has reported that the Local Government Association (LGA) has found that more than a million homes in England have been granted planning permission but have not been built The LGA is calling on ministers to grant extra powers to stop what is known as “Land Banking” – a practice that […]
Airbnb harming homeownership in rural areas
The Guardian has revealed new analysis that shows some parts the country have one Airbnb listing for every four properties in what campaigners argue is “fuelling the UK’s housing crisis” Opponents argue rapid expansion in short-term lets is “out of control” and depriving communities of much-needed homes. Commenting on the findings, Dan Craw, director of […]
Crackdown on wood and coal fires to hit rural communities the hardest
The BBC and the Yorkshire Post reported on how rural residents, in particular, may be hit the hardest by the Government’s restrictions on household stoves and open fires announced last week Plans to phase out the sale of house coal and wet wood have been confirmed, as part of efforts to tackle tiny particle pollutants […]
