Analysis & Commentary
06 Mar 2026
RSN Warns Rural Households Hit Hardest By Oil Price Surge
The Rural Services Network (RSN) has warned that rural households and businesses are particularly exposed to rising oil prices as global energy markets react to escalating tensions in the Middle...
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13 Jan 2026
RSN Voices Serious Concerns Over ‘Fairness’ Of Settlement
The Rural Services Network has serious concerns over the new ‘fair and transparent’ Local Government Funding formula. Our analysis shows that in 2026-2027, the most urban councils will receive 41%...
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26 Nov 2025
Rural Lens Review: Social and Affordable Homes Programme
The Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) published by the Government on 7 November 2025 is a new 10-year capital grant programme for England (outside London via Homes England; inside...
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21 Nov 2025
RSN Responds To Fair Funding 2.0
Remoteness Must Be Recognised Across All Services The Rural Services Network (RSN) has expressed disappointment that the Government’s updated Fair Funding 2.0 proposals fail to fully reflect the additional costs...
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10 Nov 2025
Rural Lens Review: Indices of deprivation 2025
The Government has published the statistical release detailing the English Indices of Deprivation 2025. Alongside this, a new report, the English indices of deprivation 2025 :Rural Report has also been...
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10 Nov 2025
Rural Lens Review: Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper
The White Paper outlines reforms to the post-16 education and skills system in England to: meet the needs of the economy close skills gaps support growth It is aimed at:...
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10 Nov 2025
Rural Lens Review: 10 Year Health Plan
The 10 Year Health Plan for England seizes the opportunities provided by new technologies, medicines, and innovations to deliver better care for all patients –wherever they live and whatever they...
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29 Oct 2025
Rural Councils Must Not Lose Out In Funding Reform
Following reports in The Times that proposed changes to council funding allocations have been watered down after lobbying from London boroughs, the Rural Services Network (RSN) is urging government to...
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28 Jul 2025
Championing Rural Fairness: RSN Drives Response to Fair Funding Consultation
The Rural Services Network (RSN) is leading a proactive response to the Government’s Fair Funding Review consultation, calling for urgent action to end the funding inequalities that continue to disadvantage...
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30 Jun 2025
New Roadmap Sets Out Vision to Unlock Rural Prosperity and Deliver for All
The Rural Services Network has today published Delivering for All: A Roadmap for Rural Prosperity—a comprehensive new policy document setting out the case for fairer funding, smarter metrics, and targeted...
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