Rural Business

Our work on Local Government Finance is split into two areas, the Fairer Funding  campaign and a financial analysis of local authority budgets.

Hot Topics

08 Jul 2024

Toolkit Supports Rural Businesses to Recruit and Retain Staff

A toolkit has been produced to help businesses and organisations in rural areas recruit and retain staff and become employers of choice. Developed from research in the Derbyshire Peak District...

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17 Jun 2024

Joint Appeal to Protect Rural Postal Services

ACRE, Plunkett UK, and the Rural Services Network (RSN) have jointly signed an open letter addressing significant concerns regarding Royal Mail. The letter is directed to the Secretary of State...

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10 Jun 2024

Rural Services Network Urges Action on 4G Connectivity Challenges in Rural Areas

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee’s recent publication has raised serious concerns about the UK’s ability to meet its 2025 target of extending 4G coverage to 95% of the...

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10 Jun 2024

Digital Poverty Alliance: National Digital Poverty Overview 2024

The Rural Services Network is pleased to share the 2024 National Digital Poverty Overview, a pivotal report by the Digital Poverty Alliance. This comprehensive document addresses the ongoing issue of...

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28 May 2024

Join Our Digital Telephone Line Switchover Awareness Event

The Rural Services Network, in partnership with BT, is pleased to announce an important event designed specifically for Local Authority Councillors to raise awareness about the upcoming digital telephone line...

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20 May 2024

BT’s Digital Switchover Programme Adjustments: A Rural Perspective

BT Group has announced significant adjustments to its digital switchover programme, which aims to transition the UK’s traditional analogue landlines to digital Voice over IP (VoIP) technology by January 2027....

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20 May 2024

Empowering Rural Communities with Digital Connectivity

In the tranquil settings of rural Britain, there exists a significant challenge that often goes unnoticed—digital connectivity. Ensuring equitable digital access across all areas is a pressing issue, affecting the...

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20 May 2024

New Powers to Revitalise High Streets and Fill Empty Shops by Summer 2024

New powers for communities to regenerate high streets and fill empty shops will be in force by the summer, the government announced last week. High Street Rental Auctions, a new...

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22 Apr 2024

Community Ownership: Empowering Rural Communities in England

Plunkett UK, a charity supporting community ownership across the UK, has released its 2024 Impact Report, highlighting the transformative effect of community-owned businesses in rural areas. In this article, the...

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08 Apr 2024

Royal Mail Proposes Major Service Overhaul Amid Financial Struggles

Royal Mail has announced a proposed overhaul of its service, aiming to address the challenges of plummeting letter volumes and financial losses. The proposal includes maintaining a six-day-a-week delivery service...

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