The Rural Impacts Stakeholder Forum (RISF)
The Rural Impacts Stakeholder Forum (RISF) was established in March 2020 to enable open and regular dialogue between key rural stakeholder organisations and Defra on the impact of COVID-19 on rural communities and businesses. Members of the Forum meet with Defra officials on a weekly basis, with Lord Gardiner, the Minister for Rural Affairs and […]
Covid-19 rural lockdown exit strategy update from the RSN
In a recent Bulletin we report on the letter dated 14th April sent to Matt Hancock, The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the Coronavirus exit strategy and the implications for rural communities In response, we have been promised a discussion with DHSC Official and as a consequence we emailed all RSN […]
Loneliness Fund Launched
The Government last week launched a major effort to tackle loneliness during the coronavirus outbreak and period of social distancing When launching the plan, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: Coronavirus and social distancing has forced all of us to look loneliness in the eye. So recognising the signs and tackling the stigma has never been more important. […]
Coronavirus: £5bn needed to stop local cuts say county councils
English councils have called on the government to provide a £5bn “income guarantee” to prevent local authorities from having to cut services as the coronavirus hits finances The County Councils Network has warned councils could lose £2.4bn as income from tax and business rates fall. The group said councils would have “no choice” but to […]
Coastal towns feel fear over lockdown easing
During the Number 10 COVID-19 press conference on Tuesday 12th May, a reporter from the Lincolnshire Echo raised concerns from residents worried that the relaxation of lockdown guidance would drive visitors to coastal areas and expose them to a greater risk of infection The journalist argued that the visitors would bring ‘minimal economic benefit’ as […]
Food vulnerability update from Defra
The following is an update from the Food Vulnerability section at DEFRA on recent work DEFRA have launched our service that allows local authorities to refer vulnerable people for reserved grocery delivery services – any local authorities wanting to adopt this service should complete the short form online: https://bit.ly/delivery-referrals So far 7 local authorities have […]
Virus persisting at higher rate in north of England
The HSJ has published figures suggesting the spread of COVID-19 is persisting at a higher rate in parts of the north of England than the south, prompting warnings that the mortality gap between those more and less deprived will deepen The statistics suggest the COVID-19 hospital admission rate in the North West is falling far […]
New centre to help unlock potential of the UK’s rural economies
Newcastle University and partners will lead a new National Centre to support enterprise, resilience and innovation among rural firms and unlock the untapped potential of rural economies across the UK Creating resilient and sustainable economies Led by experts from Newcastle, Warwick, Gloucestershire and the Royal Agricultural Universities, and working with businesses, policy makers, enterprise agencies […]
Slash tourism VAT to kick-start rural economy, says rural business group
The Eastern Daily Press reports on calls from countryside business leaders to cut VAT on tourism businesses to five percent to help the rural economy recover from the COVID-19 crisis The idea is one of several suggestions made by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) to help the rural economy recover from the severe […]
Drivers urged to take extra care when driving in the countryside
The Stratford Herald and Whitby Gazette report that motorists are being urged to take extra care on roads in the countryside to avoid accidents as lockdown measures begin to ease With sharp bends, poor surfaces and limited visibility already making rural roads more dangerous than urban roads or motorways, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is […]
