16 Feb 2026
16 February 2026 – Farmers Guardian
Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, was quoted in Farmers Guardian in an article calling for greater recognition of rural retail. Kerry highlighted the wider issue of rural fair funding and the challenges faced by rural councils in supporting local services, businesses and communities.
Read the article here. (subscription required)
14 February 2026 – Labour Coast & Country
Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, authored a blog for Labour: Coast & Country setting out RSN’s concerns around rural fair funding. The piece marked the Network’s 30th anniversary and highlighted the impact of the 2026/27 Local Government Finance Settlement, including the disparity in Government-funded spending power between urban and rural councils and the growing reliance on council tax in rural areas.
11 February 2026 – UK Parliament
A parliamentary debate on the Final Local Government Finance Settlement exposed growing concern from rural MPs that the new funding formula overlooks the real cost of delivering services in rural areas, with Richard Foord MP citing Rural Services Network analysis showing that urban councils will have significantly higher Government-funded spending power per head than rural councils.
Read the full debate transcript here.
11 February 2026 – UK Parliament
During a Westminster Hall debate on funding for rural GPs, the Rural Services Network’s analysis was referenced in relation to the higher proportion of older GP-registered patients in rural areas. The debate focused on the pressures facing rural GP services, including demographic challenges, access to care and the need for funding approaches that reflect the realities of rural service delivery.
