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13 Nov 2023

The King’s Speech: A missed opportunity for rural voters?

In last week’s Bulletin, I reflected on what rural communities needed to hear in the King’s Speech.  I had hoped that we would see the following principles applied through the...

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13 Nov 2023

RSN Chief Exec: “Lack of government funding has created a rural ticking time bomb.”

The Rural Services Network Chief Executive, Kerry Booth, considers Professor Whitty’s new report which urges the government to address failings for older people in rural communities. Today the government’s Chief...

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06 Nov 2023

Will the King’s Speech meet the needs of rural communities?

Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network reflects on the King’s Speech, due to take place today.  This is the first King’s Speech since King Charles became monarch. ...

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30 Oct 2023

Levelling Up Bill receives Royal Assent: RSN Chief Executive reviews what will it mean for rural

Last week the much-anticipated Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill received Royal Assent.  The expected game of Ping-Pong between Houses never occurred and most of the government’s changes to the Lord’s...

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23 Oct 2023

CHIEF EXECUTIVE EDITORIAL: A roadmap out of isolation?

Transport and the potential economic fall out from decisions relating to HS2 have dominated recent headlines during the party conference period in a way that you wouldn’t have anticipated. Does...

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16 Oct 2023

Rural Political Analysis: Levelling Up Bill returns to House of Commons

As MPs prepare to review the Lords’ amendments to the Levelling Up Bill, RSN Policy Advisor Graham Biggs has been analysing what it will now mean for rural areas. This...

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16 Oct 2023

RSN Chief Executive: What did we learn from conference season?

As the political party season comes to a close, RSN Chief Executive, Kerry Booth, has been reflecting on the Leaders’ speeches to their parties. Firstly, not one of the three...

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18 Sep 2023

RSN Chief Executive, Kerry Booth, explains how we can connect rural places

“Last week, I was invited to speak at the Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum policy conference which was exploring the topic of Beyond ‘smart cities’ – next steps for...

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03 Jul 2023

RSN backs calls for better affordable housing in rural areas as part of Rural Housing Week 2023

This week the National Housing Federation (NFH) is running its annual campaign which highlights the challenges facing rural areas when it comes to housing.  There have been some truly dreadful...

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07 Nov 2022

Cost-of-living crisis in the countryside

The below article written by RSN Chair Cecilia Motley is featured in this months Local Government First (click here to view this article). (NB it was written for publication before Liz Truss...

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