Politics
10 Dec 2014
Manifesto calls for fair rural deal
THE Rural Services Network has published its manifesto ahead of the 2015 general election, calling for a fairer deal for rural England. The document, Seeking the Best for Rural England,...
Read more
09 Oct 2014
Major rural policy conference unveiled
A MAJOR rural policy conference is to examine the different demands placed on the countryside. The conference, Countryside Values for the 21st Century, is being organised by Gloucestershire University’s Countryside...
Read more
11 Aug 2014
Minister defends Green Belt record
COUNCILS should prioritise development on brownfield sites – and defend the countryside against urban sprawl, a government minister has warned. Housing and planning minister Brandon Lewis made the comment in...
Read more
20 Jul 2014
Unlock rural potential, say business leaders
THE next government must recognise the importance of rural businesses to the economy, business leaders have warned. With 10 months to go before the next general election, the Country Land...
Read more
06 Jul 2014
Peers debate rural economy and services
RURAL communities are continuing to suffer the loss of services and facilities, peers have warned. Peers debated the state of the rural economy in the House of Lords on Thursday...
Read more
05 Jun 2014
Economic plans ‘must benefit countryside’
INVESTMENT plans contained in the Queen’s Speech must also benefit the countryside, rural leaders have warned. The Country Land and Business Association said it welcomed government proposals to “bolster investment...
Read more
20 Mar 2014
Budget ‘will help rural business’
MEASURES contained in the governemnt’s budget will help businesses in the countryside, says rural insurer NFU Mutual. A number of beneficial measures were contained in the government’s budget on Wednesday...
Read more
24 Feb 2014
Champion rural issues, politicians urged
CANDIDATES in this year’s European elections are being urged to champion rural issues. The Countryside Alliance said it was writing to more than 500 British candidates who hope to become...
Read more
10 Jan 2014
Rural MPs keep pressure on ministers
MPs have again called on the government to give rural communities a fairer deal when funding public services. The rural communities debate was held in the House of Commons on...
Read more
07 Jan 2014
Budget cuts ‘threaten Defra response’
MASSIVE budget cuts threaten Defra’s ability to respond to future emergencies, MPs have warned. Adequate responses to issues such as flooding, the delivery of financial support to farmers and even...
Read more