Latest News
05 Dec 2017
MP hits out over NHS service charges
FORMER Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has hit out at NHS England bosses for not backing down on proposed service charges. The MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale spoke out after...
Read more04 Dec 2017
‘Write to your MP over hospital transport’
RURAL people are being asked to write to their MPs and call for a review of non-emergency patient transport services. It follows warnings by Age UK that older people are facing...
Read more01 Dec 2017
Bank announces 259 branch closures
The Royal Bank of Scotland group has announced it is closing 259 branches – many in rural areas. In total, the decision will see the closure of 62 Royal Bank...
Read more30 Nov 2017
RSN demands fairer funding for rural areas
The Rural Services Network is calling on the government to ensure that rural communities receive fairer funding for vital public services. It comes as the government prepares to announce its...
Read more29 Nov 2017
Rural areas inferior for social mobility
Rural and coastal areas are among the worst performing when it comes to social mobility, says a government report. The Social Mobility Commission’s latest ‘State of the nation’ report says a...
Read more27 Nov 2017
Urgent call for hospital transport review
Older people are facing huge difficulties getting to routine hospital appointments, Age UK has warned. The charity has called for a review of non-emergency patient transport services – and wants...
Read more24 Nov 2017
Funding ‘vital’ for rural post offices
Government funding for post offices is vital to maintain rural services, says Citizens Advice. People in rural areas are more likely than their urban counterparts to depend on their local...
Read more23 Nov 2017
Council’s plea for fairer rural funding
NORTH Yorkshire County Council has called on the government to give long-term fairer funding to large rural counties. Council leaders warn that with the prospect of austerity continuing through to 2022, the...
Read more22 Nov 2017
£417k for rural arts initiative
A PROJECT to bring arts and dance to rural communities has received a further £417,000 in funding. The second phase of the Rural Touring Dance Initiative was awarded £416,855 by Arts Council England....
Read more20 Nov 2017
RSN – Rural watchdog badly missed
Government policies continue to fail communities in sparsely populated areas, the Rural Services Network has warned. RSN chief executive Graham Biggs issued the warning as he gave evidence to a...
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