Latest News
23 Jan 2017
Prince’s fund donates £670k to rural communities
A fund founded by Prince Charles has unveiled £670,000 in grant support for rural initiatives. The Prince’s Countryside Fund said the money would support 19 projects across the UK through...
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23 Jan 2017
‘More help needed for rural shops’
THE government is facing calls to help secure the future of thousands of rural shops. Campaigners say action is needed so 19,128 rural shops can continue to provide essential services....
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21 Jan 2017
‘Cuts threaten to close 1000 rural schools’
More than 1000 rural schools are threatened with closure because of government funding cuts, say researchers. It comes despite a government pledge to add a “sparsity factor” to its funding...
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17 Jan 2017
‘Patchy’ services blight communities
Rural communities are suffering due to the patchy provision of key services, a major report has warned. Transport, education, health and welfare services that act as a lifeline to more...
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16 Jan 2017
Network slams government’s double whammy for rural communities
RURAL communities face a double whammy of higher council tax bills and fewer public services, the Rural Services Network has warned. The warning is contained in the network’s response to...
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10 Jan 2017
Government’s response is a smokescreen
The Rural Services Network has called the Government’s response to a Sunday newspaper article “nothing more than a smokescreen designed to mask the real issue facing rural council tax payers”....
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08 Jan 2017
Rural health tops conference agenda
Early bird discounts are available for major conference to discuss strategies for improving rural healthcare. Due to take place in London on 28 February, the Rural Health Conference is being...
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08 Jan 2017
Defra confirms £120m in rural funding
Defra secretary Andrea Leadsom has confirmed a £120m funding boost for rural businesses across England. Some £120m in funding will be made available to rural businesses – generating thousands of jobs...
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05 Jan 2017
MP backs calls for faster broadband
A Worcestershire MP is urging local businesses to help make the case for better rural broadband. Harriett Baldwin is calling on local entrepreneurs to take part in a survey to...
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04 Jan 2017
War against fly-tippers ‘must continue’
Rural leaders are urging local councils to continue a pre-Christmas crackdown against fly-tipping. The zero tolerance initiative saw vehicles seized and crushed as local authorities used new powers to tackle the...
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