Future of Rural Areas

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

Hot Topics

22 Jan 2018

Plunkett brings rural youngsters together

The Plunkett Foundation is highlighting ways to help youngsters overcome isolation in the countryside. It is the latest stage in the charity’s #thelittlethings campaign – which aims to shine the a spotlight...

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22 Jan 2018

Village halls ‘vital service providers’

Village halls are vital when it comes to delivering rural services, Defra minister Lord Gardiner of Kimble has said. The rural affairs minister and Conservative peer described the community buildings as...

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16 Jan 2018

Grant funding for rural Gloucestershire

Rural businesses are being encouraged to apply for LEADER and Growth programme grants in Gloucestershire. Capital investments grants range from £5,000 to about £100,000 (LEADER programme) and from £35,000 to...

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15 Jan 2018

Poor social mobility in rural areas

Many of the places where people from disadvantaged backgrounds are least likely to make social progress are rural areas, notes Brian Wilson. Shortly before standing down the Social Mobility Commission published its...

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11 Jan 2018

Rural views sought on community rail

RURAL residents are being urged to respond to a Department for Transport consultation on community railways. A community rail line is a railway supported by a local partnership giving local...

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09 Jan 2018

RSN Economic Profiling Service – November 2017

– Unemployment Claimant Flows as an Indicator of Economic Performance JSA claimant flows analysis (November 17) JSA claimants as percentage of working population analysis (June 17)

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04 Jan 2018

‘Travel hubs’ to connect rural villages

Three villages could become “rural travel hubs” to improve rural transport in Cambridgeshire. The pilot hubs, to be funded by the Greater Cambridge Partnership, will be travel interchanges tailored for...

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01 Jan 2018

Rural families spend £3k more on essentials

Rural households spend about £3000 more per year than their urban counterparts on essentials, suggests a study. Inflation when it comes to goods and services in rural areas is also...

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22 Dec 2017

Rural cash machine fears rejected

The UK’s biggest ATM network has rejected claims that changes in its fee structure could result in the widespread loss of cash machines in rural locations. LINK has been consulting...

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18 Dec 2017

Prince’s fund plans rural research

The Prince’s Countryside Fund has announced a major project examining the sustainability of rural communities. It has appointed Professor Sarah Skerratt of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to conduct research into...

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