Future of Rural Areas
The RSN is challenging often overlooked rural threats such as chronic underfunding, changes in population and diminishing resources.
11 Dec 2017
Rural firms need help to enable growth
FOUR in five rural businesses are embracing the digital economy – but many say lack of training and skills is hampering their growth. E-commerce plays a big role in helping...
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09 Dec 2017
Warning over cash machine closures
Consumer group Which? has warned that widespread ATM closures could leave people without cash. The group has called on the regulator to intervene over future of the ATM network. New...
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05 Dec 2017
MP hits out over NHS service charges
FORMER Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has hit out at NHS England bosses for not backing down on proposed service charges. The MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale spoke out after...
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04 Dec 2017
‘Write to your MP over hospital transport’
RURAL people are being asked to write to their MPs and call for a review of non-emergency patient transport services. It follows warnings by Age UK that older people are facing...
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01 Dec 2017
Bank announces 259 branch closures
The Royal Bank of Scotland group has announced it is closing 259 branches – many in rural areas. In total, the decision will see the closure of 62 Royal Bank...
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29 Nov 2017
Why rural post offices are essential
Despite changing lifestyles, rural communities are significant users of post offices and clearly value them, says Brian Wilson. It seems reasonable to speculate that post offices have special value to...
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29 Nov 2017
Rural areas inferior for social mobility
Rural and coastal areas are among the worst performing when it comes to social mobility, says a government report. The Social Mobility Commission’s latest ‘State of the nation’ report says a...
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27 Nov 2017
Urgent call for hospital transport review
Older people are facing huge difficulties getting to routine hospital appointments, Age UK has warned. The charity has called for a review of non-emergency patient transport services – and wants...
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24 Nov 2017
Funding ‘vital’ for rural post offices
Government funding for post offices is vital to maintain rural services, says Citizens Advice. People in rural areas are more likely than their urban counterparts to depend on their local...
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20 Nov 2017
RSN – Rural watchdog badly missed
Government policies continue to fail communities in sparsely populated areas, the Rural Services Network has warned. RSN chief executive Graham Biggs issued the warning as he gave evidence to a...
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