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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...

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04 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...

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01 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...

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30 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...

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29 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...

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27 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...

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24 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...

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23 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...

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22 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....

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20 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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