Barriers to Access
The RSN campaigns to help rural residents overcome multiple access barriers to key services which includes poor transport and broadband.
27 Aug 2019
Government pledge to fix rural Britain’s internet woes
Digital Secretary Nicky Morgan writes in the Telegraph about plans to improve digital infrastructure around Britain. She announced new measures to boost connectivity in rural communities by allowing new, and...
Read more19 Aug 2019
Royal Mint no longer printing 1p, 2p or £2 coins
The website MoneyExpert.com reports on the news that 2018-19 was the first year since 1972 that no new 1p coins entered circulation No new 2p coins were issued for the...
Read more12 Aug 2019
Eight in 10 areas in the UK lack full 4G coverage
Millions of people are at risk of mobile signal blackouts because they live in the four-fifths of UK constituency areas that suffer from patchy 4G mobile coverage, new analysis from...
Read more05 Aug 2019
Countryfile host concerned for loss of rural services
The Mirror reports on comments made by Countryfile host John Craven lamenting the loss of rural services and saying the problem has left residents ‘socially isolated’. Speaking to BBC Countryfile...
Read more30 Jul 2019
Bank branch black spots in England’s most deprived areas
PA Media reports on new research published by banking app Pockit, which found that banks are closing branches in poorer areas of England at a faster rate than in wealthier...
Read more22 Jul 2019
Rural neglect is being ignored
Rural Services Network chief executive Graham Biggs coordinated a letter which was published last week in The Times. It expresses disappointment that the Government rejected the Lords Rural Economy Committee’s...
Read more22 Jul 2019
Small schools halve since 1980
The Guardian and The Times report that the number of small schools in England has halved since 1980 Small schools in rural and village environments are twice as likely to...
Read more22 Jul 2019
Our future in the land
The Independent Food, Farming & Countryside Commission hosted by the RSA in its report launched on Tuesday 16th July ‘Our Future in the Land’ has added its voice to the...
Read more15 Jul 2019
Government won’t force banks to keep branches open
The Financial Times reports that the Government has refused to intervene to protect banking services in rural areas, despite recommendations from the Treasury Committee. In May, the Committee called for...
Read more08 Jul 2019
Millions in rural areas could be ‘left behind’
The Local Government Association published a report last week highlighting concerns that ‘millions of people living in rural England are at risk of being ‘left behind’ and missing out on...
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