Rural Communities

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27 May 2025

Real Rural Proofing Means Meaningful Change

The Government has published its latest update on rural proofing: The Government’s Approach to Rural Proofing 2025. It sets out examples of how departments have considered rural needs across areas...

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27 May 2025

New RISE Report Shows Coastal And Rural Young People Missing Out On University

Higher education opportunities are being increasingly restricted for the poorest young people from rural and coastal communities. The Coast and Country: Access to higher education cold spots in England shows...

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27 May 2025

New Figures Expose Rural Fuel Poverty Gap

DEFRA’s latest Statistical Digest of Rural England (May 2025) shines a spotlight on the ongoing issue of fuel poverty in rural areas, revealing the tough reality faced by many rural...

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27 May 2025

Developments in Energy Infrastructure

The Government has published a new working paper and accompanying press release addressing proposals for community benefits and shared ownership relating to low carbon energy infrastructure. These documents are now...

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27 May 2025

Rural Community Project Fund opens for 2025/26

A project call for rural areas of West Norfolk is opening again, inviting expressions of interest for grants to support projects that create new and improved community infrastructure, providing essential...

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19 May 2025

Funding Reform Must Deliver for Rural Communities

The latest Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee session held on 7th May 2025, placed funding and sustainability of local government finance under close examination. Minister of State for Local...

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12 May 2025

Multi-Million Pound Boost for Rural Mental Health Research

The University of Worcester has been awarded more than £2.2 million for a programme of research to investigate mental health inequalities across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The funding, from the National...

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06 May 2025

A Royal Call to Action at the Rural Housing Conference

The Rural Services Network was proud to be represented by Assistant Chief Executive Nadine Trout at last week’s Rural Housing Conference, jointly hosted by English Rural and Action with Communities...

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06 May 2025

Government Urged to Act on Cash Payment Access

The recent publication of the Treasury Committee’s Acceptance of Cash report casts a fresh spotlight on the rapidly shifting payment landscape in the UK, and its consequences for rural communities....

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06 May 2025

Affordable Homes Key to Unlocking Rural Business Growth

New research commissioned by Community Action Northumberland (CAN) reveals the growing pressure rural employers face due to a shortage of affordable and suitable housing for workers across Northumberland.  Nearly one in two...

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