Unpacking the Finance Settlement for local authorities and Its Impact on Rural Services

Last week, The Rt Hon Michael Gove announced an encouraging boost for rural communities: a £15 million increase in the Rural Services Delivery Grant for 2024-25. This raises the total to £110 million, a significant uplift that the Rural Services Network has long advocated for, helping to address the funding disparities between rural and urban areas.

University of Exeter Launches Teacher Training Hubs to Boost Rural Education

In a significant development aimed at addressing teacher recruitment challenges in rural areas, the University of Exeter has announced the opening of new teacher training hubs. This initiative is designed to mitigate the impact of travel and housing costs on teacher training, particularly in the context of the ongoing cost of living crisis and housing shortages in the region.

Seeking Innovators: DfT Funds Rural Transport Projects

The Department of Transport (DfT) is championing a transformative initiative to revitalise transportation in rural areas, focusing on integrating innovative practices and enhancing service quality for users. This endeavour aims to strengthen connections within rural communities, significantly improving their access to essential services and opportunities