Latest News
03 Apr 2020
We’re here for you
We are working in extraordinary times at the moment, but we wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that, at the Rural Services Network, our staff are all...
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30 Mar 2020
Tell us about your rural community working together during lockdown
With communities in lockdown at home, online delivery slots booked up several weeks in advance, and in England’s rural areas, 11% of premises – households and businesses – are unable...
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30 Mar 2020
Possible impact of changes to the calculation of sparsity/rurality cost in the Fair Funding Review
At the Rural Services Network we recently sent to all of our local authority SPARSE-Rural members (for whom we carry out work and representations on the Local Government Funding Formula)...
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30 Mar 2020
Rural ‘hospital deserts’ at most risk of being overwhelmed
Sky News reports on research published by Oxford University’s Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science that warns of potential ‘hospital deserts’ – areas where demand for beds for coronavirus patients is...
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30 Mar 2020
Share with us your concerns for the Rural Economy during the Covid-19 lockdown
The Rural Economy is home to over half a million registered businesses, which makes up 24% of all of the registered businesses in England. Most registered businesses in rural areas...
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30 Mar 2020
Melton MP calls for tougher action on rising rural crime
The Melton Times reports how Melton and Rutland MP, Alicia Kearns, has been pressing the Government to introduce more stringent measures to combat rural organised crime She secured a Westminster...
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30 Mar 2020
Call for more support for rural firms impacted by coronavirus
On Wednesday, Farming UK echoed calls for the Government to issue ‘rural proofed’ support for businesses in the countryside impacted by the coronavirus Rural businesses, which often differ considerably to...
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30 Mar 2020
Community Heartbeat Trust – COVID-19 support in rural communities
by Martin Fagan, National Secretary, the Community Heartbeat Trust charity We are facing unprecedented times. However, in villages and communities around the country people are showing true altruism and volunteering...
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30 Mar 2020
Calls for critical biomass supply chains to remain open to support frontline workers during crisis
Industry leaders are urging Government to keep UK wood fuel supply chains fully open to ensure suppliers can continue delivering to home heating customers and key frontline organisations and businesses...
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30 Mar 2020
Coronavirus check points established across the country
Several media outlets including the BBC report that road checkpoints are being set up around the country to determine if drivers’ journeys are essential The move is being introduced to...
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