Future of Rural Areas

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

Hot Topics

28 Mar 2017

Unfair funding formula threatens rural schools

PRESS RELEASEFor immediate release Tuesday 28 March 2017  Rural schools are losing out because an unfair funding formula has created inconsistencies in the amount of money received by similar schools...

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27 Mar 2017

Rural schools ‘need fairer funding’

Rural schools will lose out because of an unfair funding formula, the Rural Services Network has warned. Inconsistencies in funding for individual schools with similar characteristics across the country are...

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27 Mar 2017

Experts outline Brexit approach for rural policy

Experts have called for a more holistic approach to rural policy as the UK prepares to leave the European Union. It comes as the government prepares to trigger the Article...

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27 Mar 2017

The Buses Bill: What’s in it for rural services?

The Buses Bill must deliver for rural communities, says Claire Walters. Set for royal assent in May this year, the Buses Bill is being widely heralded as an opportunity to...

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23 Mar 2017

Councils highlight importance of services

Representatives from England’s 10,000 parish and town aim to raise their profile by marching on parliament. The third ever ‘Lobby Day’ by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) will see...

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20 Mar 2017

Latest ‘rural proofing’ guidance published

The government has published its latest guidance to assess the effects of its policies on rural areas. Rural areas are home to one-fifth of England’s population and a quarter of...

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15 Mar 2017

Funds for Dorset rural transport

GRANTS of up to £5000 are on offer to communities who want to set up their own rural transport scheme in Dorset. The Community Transport Grant will fund costs associated...

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15 Mar 2017

Rural caution over Budget U-turn

The Rural Services Network has welcomed a government decision to abandon a planned increase in national insurance payments by the self-employed. The U-turn by the government came a week after...

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13 Mar 2017

Warning over ‘transport desert’ bus cuts

Bus services have been hit hard by funding cuts with over 500 routes completely withdrawn or reduced in 2016/17. Nearly £30m has been cut from local authority supported bus funding...

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08 Mar 2017

Little joy in Budget for rural business

THE government’s Budget contained little joy for businesses in the countryside, say rural leaders. The Country Land and Business Association welcomed a cap on business rates but said it was...

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