Future of Rural Areas

The RSN is challenging often overlooked rural threats such as chronic underfunding, changes in population and diminishing resources.

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22 Apr 2024

RSN and Rural Coalition meet DEFRA Minister

Last week our Chief Executive Kerry Booth was part of a group of key national rural organisations that meet with the DEFRA Minister Robbie Moore MP. Holding the post of...

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19 Feb 2024

Ofcom Seeks Views from Rural and Remote Areas on Postal Service Modernisation

In an era where digital communication has significantly reduced the volume of letters, yet the demand for parcel delivery continues to soar, Ofcom has initiated a discussion on the future...

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18 Dec 2023

Resilient communities from across the UK gather to improve rural life

The Royal Countryside Fund brought together community projects from across the UK for the inaugural Confident Rural Communities conference Image: Rural communities gathered in Skipton (credit – Lucy Saggers) At...

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04 Dec 2023

Somerton & Frome MP reminds government of the real cost of the Rural Premium

The challenges facing rural areas have been repeatedly debated in Parliament this week.  Alongside Chris Loder MP’s debate on funding for rural councils (read what happened here), Sarah Dyke MP...

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04 Dec 2023

Lords criticise delays in Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

Last week, the government’s Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 was heavily criticised in the House of Lords.  Baroness Hayman of Ullock submitted a motion calling on the government...

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27 Nov 2023

Autumn Statement 2023: What does it mean for rural?

It’s been nearly a week since the Chancellor delivered his Autumn Statement and RSN Chief Executive Kerry Booth and her team have been digesting what it means for rural communities...

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13 Nov 2023

The King’s Speech: A missed opportunity for rural voters?

In last week’s Bulletin, I reflected on what rural communities needed to hear in the King’s Speech.  I had hoped that we would see the following principles applied through the...

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13 Nov 2023

Affordable housing in rural areas boosted as new scheme rolls out

The government’s rural housing enabler scheme took another step forward last week as the first round of funding was awarded. The first payments were given to local partners in Cambridgeshire...

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06 Nov 2023

Will the King’s Speech meet the needs of rural communities?

Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network reflects on the King’s Speech, due to take place today.  This is the first King’s Speech since King Charles became monarch. ...

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23 Oct 2023

Rural amendments to Levelling Up Bill rejected

The government’s Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill returned to the House of Commons last week with the Lords’ amendments.  These included Lords Amendment 6, proposed by Lord Foster of Bath:...

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