Latest News
29 Jan 2024
Unpacking the Finance Settlement for local authorities and Its Impact on Rural Services
Last week, The Rt Hon Michael Gove announced an encouraging boost for rural communities: a £15 million increase in the Rural Services Delivery Grant for 2024-25. This raises the total...
Read more29 Jan 2024
A Closer Look at Poverty Challenges
Recent findings from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation “UK Poverty 2024” report highlights significant poverty issues in the UK. Here are some key takeaways: Widespread Poverty: Over 14 million people, including...
Read more29 Jan 2024
University of Exeter Launches Teacher Training Hubs to Boost Rural Education
In a significant development aimed at addressing teacher recruitment challenges in rural areas, the University of Exeter has announced the opening of new teacher training hubs. This initiative is designed...
Read more29 Jan 2024
Seeking Innovators: DfT Funds Rural Transport Projects
The Department of Transport (DfT) is championing a transformative initiative to revitalise transportation in rural areas, focusing on integrating innovative practices and enhancing service quality for users. This endeavour aims...
Read more24 Jan 2024
Rural Services Delivery Grant Increases
The Rt Hon Michael Gove has today (24th Jan) through written statement announced that he proposes to increase the Rural Services Delivery Grant by £15million for 2024/2025 resulting in a...
Read more22 Jan 2024
Growth opportunities for rural businesses, but long-standing challenges remain
Businesses in rural areas perceive new opportunities for growth but long-standing challenges such as affordable housing, transport and broadband capacity are hampering take-up, according to a major new survey from...
Read more22 Jan 2024
Addressing Rural Housing: NHF Report Spotlights Critical Needs
The National Housing Federation (NHF) has recently launched an ambitious report, “Let’s Fix the Housing Crisis,” aimed at addressing England’s growing housing challenges. This report is part of their long-term...
Read more22 Jan 2024
Rural Britain’s Hidden Struggles: Insights from North Cotswolds
The “Hidden Hardship” report, conducted by Dr. Stephanie Denning at Coventry University and vividly illustrated by Beth Waters, provides an in-depth and emotive portrayal of the challenges faced by rural...
Read more22 Jan 2024
‘Taxi Tax’ Threatens Rural Healthcare Access
In a move that could disproportionately affect rural communities across the UK, the proposed 20% VAT hike on private hire and minicab journeys – colloquially termed the ‘Taxi Tax’ –...
Read more22 Jan 2024
Digital Disparity: A Closer Look at Rural Connectivity in England
The latest Connected Nations UK Report 2023 sheds light on the digital connectivity in the UK, revealing a stark contrast between urban and rural regions. The report shows a considerable...
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