Politics
12 Feb 2013
Give rural councils fair share – MPs
MORE than 30 MPs have demanded a fairer share of government funding for rural local authorities. It was unfair that rural communities received less funding than their urban counterparts, said...
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11 Feb 2013
Network steps up pressure over funding
RURAL local authorities remain worse off than their urban counterparts – despite an additional £8.5m grant. The additional one-off £8.5m still meant that the total grant to rural authorities had...
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28 Jan 2013
Call to amend infrastructure bill
THE countryside could be disadvantaged unless the government amends its Growth and Infrastructure Bill, rural business leaders have warned. The Country Land and Business Association said it wanted the bill...
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25 Jan 2013
Rural economy review ‘is working’
THE government says its £165m package of support measures unveiled in 2011 for the rural economy is bearing fruit. The rural economy growth review includes support for five rural growth...
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14 Jan 2013
MPs rally for fairer rural funding
A CROSS-PARTY group of MPs has called on the government to reconsider the impact its funding settlement will have on rural communities. The group of more than 45 MPs said...
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30 Dec 2012
‘Rural rebellion against spending cuts’
A NEW YEAR rebellion is to be launched against “grossly unfair” spending cuts set to “crucify” rural communities. A front-page article in the Sunday Telegraph highlights calls for a government...
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20 Dec 2012
Rural areas hit hardest by council cuts
RURAL communities will bear the brunt of government cuts making it even harder for councils to maintain services. The warning follows the publication of the government’s finance settlement, which details...
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09 Dec 2012
Defra still ‘developing’ rural proofing
THE government says it is continuing to develop new guidelines requiring departments to consider the rural impact of their policies. Defra minister Richard Benyon said the government’s Rural Statement published...
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02 Dec 2012
Rural fears ahead of Autumn Statement
RURAL residents are calling on the government to abandon its planned rise in fuel duty. A freeze in fuel duty tops the rural wishlist as Chancellor George Osborne prepares to...
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12 Nov 2012
Rural Statement lacks lustre, MPs told
THE government should give a more robust commitment to rural communities, MPs have been told. Three representatives with local authority backgrounds have so far given evidence to an inquiry by...
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