Local government funding
The way Government distributes grant funding to local authorities across England means rural people end up paying higher Council Tax bills than urban people, yet still have less money available to fund local services and so receive fewer of them. This is fundamentally unfair. The system should take full account of higher service delivery costs in rural areas.
To view the RSN calls to Government click here
25 Nov 2025
RSN Sends Open Letter Calling for Fairer Funding for Rural Communities
Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of The Rural Services Network has written to the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern MP, to raise serious concerns about the...
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28 Jul 2025
Committee Warns Local Government Finance System is ‘Broken’
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has issued a stark warning that the current local government funding system is no longer sustainable – calling for urgent reform to protect...
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17 Mar 2025
Debating Government Support for Rural Communities in Parliament
In a recent spirited debate at Westminster, MPs discussed the pressing issues faced by rural communities across the UK, shedding light on the unique challenges rural areas endure. Caroline Voaden,...
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10 Mar 2025
LGIU Report Highlights Pressing Concerns for Local Government Finances
A recent report by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) has painted a stark picture of the financial pressures facing local councils in England. The LGIU’s 12th annual “State of...
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11 Feb 2025
Local Government Finance Debate
A recent Local Government Finance Debate, overseen by Madam Deputy Speaker Caroline Nokes, offered a comprehensive platform to discuss the future of local government funding in England. Minister Jim McMahon...
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03 Feb 2025
Concerns Over Final Local Government Finance Settlement’s Impact on Rural
As the Final Local Government Finance Settlement has now been published, the Rural Services Network (RSN) expresses deep concern over the allocation of government funding. The settlement fails to ensure...
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09 Dec 2024
Local Government Funding
The importance of rural councils coming together was highlighted last week with an urgent meeting called by the Rural Services Network of local authority members. Following the Local Government Finance...
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02 Dec 2024
Local Government Funding Reforms Announced
Last week the Government published the policy statement for Local Government Finance 2025-2026. This included outline details of the headline allocations through the Provisional Settlement for Local Government for which...
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28 May 2024
Addressing Rural Funding Challenges
The Rural Services Network (RSN) is committed to highlighting the unique challenges faced by rural councils in delivering quality services. Recent parliamentary discussions shed light on the critical issues surrounding...
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04 Dec 2023
MPs debate unfair rural funding
Rural MPs had a clear message for the government during their Westminster Hall debate last week on the funding of rural councils; act now or councils will go bust and...
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