Rural Economies
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity, and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
18 Nov 2025
LGA Warns Of £3bn Temporary Accommodation Funding Black Hole
New analysis from the Local Government Association (LGA) reveals that councils in England are facing a cumulative £3 billion shortfall in temporary accommodation funding between 2017/18 and 2029/30, a gap...
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18 Nov 2025
Rural Connectivity Questions Raised In Parliament
Rural connectivity featured prominently in Parliament last week, with concerns raised both during departmental Oral Answers to Questions and later at Prime Minister’s Questions. During Science, Innovation and Technology questions,...
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10 Nov 2025
New RSN Rural Lens Reviews Highlight Policy Impact
The Rural Services Network has released three new Rural Lens Reviews, providing our members with in-depth analysis of how key Government policies and reports impact rural communities. Through our Rural...
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10 Nov 2025
A Decade Of Affordable Homes Begins. Will Rural England See The Benefit?
The government has launched the full details of its new Social and Affordable Homes programme (2026–2036) described as the biggest boost to social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Worth...
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10 Nov 2025
Integrated Care Systems Report Calls for Stability to Deliver Change
The NHS Confederation’s State of Integrated Care Systems 2024/25: Delivering Through Change report sets out a candid picture of England’s 42 ICSs under sustained strain. It finds systems are “operating...
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10 Nov 2025
New Report Urges Change To Keep Britain Working
The Government’s Keep Britain Working Review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, warns that ill-health has become one of the biggest drivers of economic inactivity in the UK, costing an estimated...
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10 Nov 2025
Government Publishes New Financial Inclusion Strategy
The Government has published a new Financial Inclusion Strategy, setting out an ambitious cross-sector plan to ensure everyone can access and effectively use financial services, from opening a bank account...
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10 Nov 2025
Parliament Hears Rural Community Business Concerns At Report Launch
More than 70 politicians, partners and community business representatives gathered at the Houses of Parliament this week for the launch of Plunkett UK’s flagship research report, Community ownership: A Better...
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10 Nov 2025
Rural Lens Review: Indices of deprivation 2025
The Government has published the statistical release detailing the English Indices of Deprivation 2025. Alongside this, a new report, the English indices of deprivation 2025 :Rural Report has also been...
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10 Nov 2025
Rural Lens Review: Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper
The White Paper outlines reforms to the post-16 education and skills system in England to: meet the needs of the economy close skills gaps support growth It is aimed at:...
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