Rural Communities
16 Mar 2026
Supporting Rural Health Inequalities
A new report from Northumberland County Council’s Director of Public Health shines a light on the unique factors shaping health and wellbeing in rural communities. Rural Realities: Health Inequalities in...
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16 Mar 2026
More Dentists Planned As Government Moves To Expand Workforce
The government has announced plans to significantly increase the number of dentists able to practise in the UK, in a move aimed at improving patient access to appointments and tackling...
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09 Mar 2026
RSN Warns Rural Households Will Be Hit Hardest By Oil Price Surge
The Rural Services Network (RSN) has warned that rural households and businesses are particularly exposed to rising oil prices as global energy markets react to escalating tensions in the Middle...
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09 Mar 2026
Spring Forecast: Growth Promised, Rural Gap Persists
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, set out the Government’s Spring Forecast to Parliament last week, arguing that the Government’s economic plan is beginning to deliver results, with falling inflation, reduced borrowing...
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02 Mar 2026
NRCN: Call For Evidence On Serious And Organised Crime
The National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) is encouraging partners and stakeholders to respond to a new inquiry launched by the Home Affairs Committee into the impact of serious and organised...
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02 Mar 2026
Why Rural Connectivity Cannot Be An Afterthought
Rural connectivity shapes whether rural businesses can compete, whether residents can access healthcare and education, and whether communities can feel secure and connected in an increasingly digital world. At last...
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24 Feb 2026
SEND investment to support inclusion in every school and community
The government has announced a £4 billion investment to reform support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), alongside the publication of its forthcoming schools...
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23 Feb 2026
Bus Franchising: Implications For Community Transport
The Community Transport Association (CTA) has published analysis on new Department for Transport guidance for local authorities considering bus franchising in England. The guidance outlines how councils could move away...
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02 Feb 2026
Warm Homes Plan Aims To Cut Bills And Tackle Fuel Poverty
The government has launched a £15 billion Warm Homes Plan, described as the biggest public investment in home upgrades in British history, aimed at cutting energy bills, tackling fuel poverty...
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29 Jan 2026
Building Sustainable Community Support for Chronic Illness in Rural Areas
Across rural communities, people living with chronic illness often face a unique combination of challenges: limited access to services, social isolation, transport barriers, and a lack of locally grounded peer...
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