Latest News

Hot Topics

20 Mar 2017

Latest ‘rural proofing’ guidance published

The government has published its latest guidance to assess the effects of its policies on rural areas. Rural areas are home to one-fifth of England’s population and a quarter of...

Read more

20 Mar 2017

Rural ‘idyll’ masks poor rural health

Poor health in rural areas is being “masked” by idyllic images of the countryside, warns a study. Too little is known about the health and wellbeing of people living in...

Read more

15 Mar 2017

Funds for Dorset rural transport

GRANTS of up to £5000 are on offer to communities who want to set up their own rural transport scheme in Dorset. The Community Transport Grant will fund costs associated...

Read more

15 Mar 2017

Rural caution over Budget U-turn

The Rural Services Network has welcomed a government decision to abandon a planned increase in national insurance payments by the self-employed. The U-turn by the government came a week after...

Read more

13 Mar 2017

Derbyshire unveils rural crime taskforce

A DEDICATED team of police officers has been launched to lead the fight against rural crime in Derbyshire. The Derbyshire Rural Crime Team was unveiled at Bakewell Farmers’ Market on Monday...

Read more

13 Mar 2017

Warning over ‘transport desert’ bus cuts

Bus services have been hit hard by funding cuts with over 500 routes completely withdrawn or reduced in 2016/17. Nearly £30m has been cut from local authority supported bus funding...

Read more

10 Mar 2017

Council maintains rural broadband pledge

ONE of England’s biggest rural counties says 90% of premises will have access to superfast broadband by this summer. North Yorkshire County Council says it is pressing ahead with its...

Read more

09 Mar 2017

Caution over extra social care funding

An extra £2bn in funding is unlikely to resolve the challenges faced by adult social care providers, warn local authorities. An additional £2bn for councils to provide adult social care...

Read more

08 Mar 2017

Little joy in Budget for rural business

THE government’s Budget contained little joy for businesses in the countryside, say rural leaders. The Country Land and Business Association welcomed a cap on business rates but said it was...

Read more

05 Mar 2017

Call for new approach to rural land use

CAMPAIGNERS have called for a more strategic approach to rural land use and the countryside. The proposals are contained in a new pamphlet published on Sunday (5 March) by the...

Read more