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.
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...
Read more17 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...
Read more10 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...
Read more10 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...
Read more28 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...
Read more20 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....
Read more20 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...
Read more20 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...
Read more22 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...
Read more08 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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