Domestic Violence and homelessness in rural areas during lockdown
“Some rise in reports of domestic abuse during lockdown in rural areas and concerns over those unable to escape potentially abusive situations during lockdown.” That’s the message coming from Graham Biggs, the CX of the Rural Services Network following a survey of member organisations about the impact of covid-19 and lockdown on incidences of domestic […]
Gigabit Rural Broadband Voucher Scheme
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is offering vouchers to those in rural communities who are disadvantaged by poor broadband Gigabit-capable broadband connections offer the fastest and most reliable speeds available, and the Government is committed to a vision of a digitally connected Britain. Homes and businesses in rural areas of the UK […]
Issues raised at the 5th June meeting of 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 […]
New statistics suggest regional epicentres of COVID-19
Several outlets report on the widening north-south COVID-19 divide, with fatalities and new infections far more common in regions outside of London Research shows new infections are nearly twice as widespread in Yorkshire and the north-east than in London, with the north-west also seeing far more cases. Manchester Evening News says that the north of […]
Respect the countryside, plead farmers
The Times reports that farmers have issued a plea to visitors to respect the countryside after widespread reports of litter and human waste being left in fields as more people visit beauty spots The National Sheep Association said it had received reports of disposable barbecues and litter being left in fields, parked cars blocking the […]
Fears for post offices after subsidy is slashed
The Telegraph reports that ministers have been accused of failing to protect the Post Office beyond 2021 which could put the future of 11,500 branches at risk The Government insisted it was ‘committed to safeguarding the network and protecting rural services’, but said subsidies would be reduced to £50 million in 2020/21, given the company’s […]
Gaps in R&D spend fuel UK regional divides, report says
The New Statesman reports that differences in research and development spending is fuelling the economic divide between different regions of the UK. A recent report shows that the North of England, the Midlands, South West, Wales and Northern Ireland get £4 billion less altogether than other regions every year. Furthermore, the private sector would usually […]
Cash payments fall 15 percent as half of all UK transactions done on card
Just 23 percent of all purchases made in the UK last year involved cash, according to a new report published by Yahoo Finance Cash payments have declined by 15 percent in 2019, compared to card payments which accounted for 51 percent of all transactions last year, the first time card has made up more than […]
Defra food vulnerability update
Below is is this week’s update on Defra’s work on food for vulnerable people: Non-Shielded Vulnerable: 42 Local Authority entities covering 86 LA areas are currently onboarded onto the supermarket referrals system and are actively referring NSV people for Tesco and Iceland delivery slots. This is a voluntary service for Local Authorities to sign up […]
The Pub Defender and the Forum of Private Business launch new support organisation dedicated to the pub trade
The Forum of Private Business, working with the Pub Defender Dave Mountford, have launched The Forum of British Pubs Focusing on providing support to local pubs as they struggle through the current lockdown, and as they emerge and reopen, the new Forum will provide both advice and dedicated key service offerings, as well as being […]
