31 Dec 2023
December 2023
RSN Chief Executive, Kerry Booth, was quoted in the Guardian Newspaper discussing bank closures in rural high streets:
‘People are devastated’: anger and anxiety as Peak District loses its last bank
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/dec/30/people-are-devastated-anger-and-anxiety-as-peak-district-loses-its-last-bank
November 2023
The below media outlets have published a quote from the Rural Services Network about the concerns of the reduction in availability of cash for rural residents:
Mirror:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/warning-anyone-who-uses-cash-31520316
Birmingham Mail:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/lloyds-barclays-santander-hsbc-natwest-28169858
The Grocer:
https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/convenience/free-to-use-atms-drop-by-more-than-15000-in-five-years/685662.article
Talking Retail:
https://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/number-of-free-to-use-atms-falls-by-over-15000-in-five-years-23-11-2023/
Convenience Store:
https://www.conveniencestore.co.uk/your-business/over-15000-free-to-use-atms-disappear-in-five-years/685670.article
September 2023
29 September – Localis
Unlocking the socio-economic potential of our nation’s pubs. Quote from Kerry Booth, RSN Chief Executive:
https://www.localis.org.uk/research/inn-valuable/
23 September – Interview with Farmers Guardian
Rural crime week. Quote from Kerry Booth, RSN Chief Executive, to form part of an article on Rural Crime
https://www.farmersguardian.com/news/4126793/rural-communities-police-rural-crime-seriously
4 September – GB news
GB news online took up our partnership press release on ATM/Cash with Kerry Booth, RSN Chief Executive, quoted:
https://www.gbnews.com/money/dont-kill-cash-business-jeremy-hunt-payment-method
July 2023
31st July – BBC Farming Today
Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network Kerry Booth featured on Farming Today on Monday 31st July talking about rural services.
– More details about this can be found here
17th July
The Rural Coalition set out a stark warning to the Government not to ignore the 9.7million people living in rural areas. The Coalition, an alliance of thirteen national organisations including the RSN, set out an urgent appeal for all political parties to empower rural areas in election manifestos to improve the prospects and opportunities for rural businesses and communities:
- rsnonline – Rural Coalition makes further calls on the Government
- The Mirror – Almost 10million rural voters risk being left behind at next election, campaigners warn
- Shropshire Star – Future government ‘must improve prospects and opportunities for rural communities and firms’
- A letter also appeared in the Times newspaper
11th July – BBC Midlands Today
Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, spoke to BBC Midlands Today to discuss the RSN’s support of a petition to save the Post Office network.
View a clip of the story from BBC Midlands Today by clicking here.
June 2023
- Our Policy Advisor Graham Biggs has been featured in the New Stateman disussing the loss of bus services.
You can read this article here - Our Policy Advisor Graham Biggs was also invited onto BBC Radio Cornwall to talk to it’s Breakfast Presenter James Churchfield about a number of Post Offices facing closure across the county.
- Our Chief Executive Kerry Booth was asked by Care Management Matters to share her thoughts on migration patterns which show young people leaving rural areas in their droves.
You can read the full article here. - RSN Chief Executive, Kerry Booth, addressed the Government recently announced new initiative of “Unleashing Rural Productivity” during an interview on the BBC’s Farming Today programme with Anna Hill.
May 2023
Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, recently wrote in the Care Management Matters periodical, asking the question how can we ensure an ageing rural population can access the care services they need?
- Care Management Matters – Fairer funding for rural communities
The Broadcast 2040+ campaign (A coalition of groups which includes the RSN) is expanding is campaign to guarantee access to Freeview and radio beyond the year 2040:
National
- The Express – A coalition grows demanding to save traditional TV from streaming services taking over – both online and in print (syndicated by MSN, VBExplorer, World News Mojo, Verified News Explorer Network)
Trade Outlets
- Advanced Television – Broadcast 2040+ campaign grows numbers
- Broadband and TV News – Broadcast 2040+ grows campaign to maintain UK DTT
- CSI Magazine – Broadcast 2040+ grows campaign to maintain UK DTT
- TVB Europe – Campaign to protect UK’s terrestrial TV and radio gathers pace
March 2023
Rising numbers of people in the countryside are becoming homeless in a crisis deepened by the cost-of-living crisis, a study (commissioned by a rural homelessness task force bringing together experts from organisations including the RSN) has found:
The Independent – ‘Hidden countryside homelessness’ crisis fuelled by cost of living
BBC News – ‘A village’s goodwill saved me from life on the streets’
rsnonline – Rural homelessness getting worse
February 2023
The Broadcast 2040+ campaign (A coalition of groups which includes the RSN) is stepping up its battle – and a petition by a leading pensioners’ group has crossed the 10,000-signature milestone, forcing a response from the Government.
The Mirror – Pressure mounts on Tories to save terrestrial TV from big switch off after 2040
January 2023
The Countryfile episode aired on Sunday 22nd January 23 featured research by the Rural Services Network
In a story focusing on Levelling Up and the investment by the Government into this policy approach, raised questions as to whether rural is getting its fair share of the funding.
You can see more of the episode which is available for a limited time, at this link
