Analysis & Commentary
01 Mar 2017
Pooling public resources to overcome rural challenges
Managing rural assets together would provide more opportunities for raising investment, argues Ivan Annibal. Ivan Annibal argues that rural assets are often hard to manage individually by public bodies and...
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27 Feb 2017
The value of rural convenience stores
Selling a wide variety of products, staying open long hours and keeping up with the times are all key to surviving as a rural shop, finds Brian Wilson. Selling a...
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26 Feb 2017
How (agriculturally) innovative are rural places?
What is agricultural innovation and what does it mean for rural places? Jessica Sellick investigates. There are now a number of government and industry initiatives and funding streams to support...
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23 Jan 2017
The [rural] impacts of a better defence estate
Will rural communities benefit from changes in the way the government defends the country? Jessica Sellick investigates. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation supports the armed forces in building, maintaining and servicing...
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11 Jan 2017
Small steps can speed up broadband
Setting up a community broadband scheme is hard work, but short term steps can also solve your problems, says Daniel Heery. Setting up a community broadband scheme is hard work,...
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19 Dec 2016
Are rural carers overwhelmed by need?
Providing care for loved ones is rewarding, it can also bring physical and emotional challenges. Jessica Sellick investigates. Carers or caregivers not only reduce demand on health and social care...
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28 Nov 2016
Do rural communities face a ‘justice desert’?
What does delivering a proportionate and effective justice system mean for rural communities? Jessica Sellick investigates. Since the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215 to the creation of the Crown...
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09 Oct 2016
Where the wild things are – a ‘future natural’ countryside?
Just what does “rewilding” mean for rural communities? Jessica Sellick investigates. Recent years have seen proposals to reintroduce lynx, wolves and bears into the countryside. The idea has captured the...
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22 Sep 2016
Hefty impact of rising housing costs
For many groups, rising housing costs have negated any increase in income they’ve received. One result is a ballooning Housing Benefit bill, finds Brian Wilson. For many groups, rising housing...
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18 Sep 2016
Will the government’s new industrial strategy benefit rural communities?
What does the government’s return to business focused policy-making mean for rural communities? Jessica Sellick investigates. Industrial Strategy is back – Theresa May featured it in her leadership speech as...
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