Rural Fair Funding
Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural locales is costlier.
24 Mar 2026
The Rural Reality: Heating Oil Pressures Continue
Following our recent coverage of rising heating oil costs, the Rural Services Network has continued to hear directly from members about the real-world impact on rural households and communities. As...
Read more
24 Mar 2026
Rural Poverty Report Highlights Hidden Hardship
A new report from the Labour Rural Research Group (LRRG) has highlighted the scale and nature of poverty across rural Britain, challenging assumptions that countryside communities are largely affluent. The...
Read more
16 Mar 2026
Rising Heating Oil Costs Draw Westminster Attention
Rising heating oil costs highlighted in last week’s Rural Bulletin have continued to draw attention in Westminster, as ministers step up scrutiny of fuel pricing amid volatility linked to tensions...
Read more
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...
Read more
09 Mar 2026
RSN Highlights Rural Challenges In Devolution Inquiry
The Rural Services Network’s Chief Executive, Kerry Booth, recently gave evidence to a parliamentary inquiry exploring how rural communities fit within the Government’s devolution agenda. The session formed part of...
Read more
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...
Read more
09 Mar 2026
SEND Reforms Overlook School Transport
New plans designed to help local authorities manage the rising cost of supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) leave significant questions unanswered, particularly around the growing cost...
Read more
02 Mar 2026
LGIU Warns Of Deepening Financial Strain On Councils
The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) has published its 2026 State of Local Government Finance in England research, finding that confidence in the sustainability of council finances remains critically low...
Read more
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...
Read more