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.
11 Feb 2025
NPA Highlights Funding Crisis in Rural Pharmacies
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has recently brought to light a critical issue impacting rural communities across rural communities in England, particularly in the South West. Over the past decade,...
Read more
11 Feb 2025
The Homes That Children Deserve: Housing Policy to Support Children
New analysis from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) finds that a combination of welfare reforms, rising numbers of children in the private rented sector and a lack of...
Read more
03 Feb 2025
Concerns Over Final Local Government Finance Settlement’s Impact on Rural
As the Final Local Government Finance Settlement has now been published, the Rural Services Network (RSN) expresses deep concern over the allocation of government funding. The settlement fails to ensure...
Read more
27 Jan 2025
Unravelling Household Costs: A Rural Perspective on Child Poverty
As rural communities continue to grapple with the challenges posed by the rising cost of living, households with children are facing increased hardship. The recent engagement work by Citizens Advice...
Read more
27 Jan 2025
Parliament Debates Rural Public Services in Adjournment Session
Last week, an Adjournment Debate in Parliament provided MPs with the opportunity to highlight the ongoing challenges facing rural communities, particularly concerning access to public services. The debate, led by...
Read more
20 Jan 2025
Advocating for Fair Funding in Rural England
The Rural Services Network (RSN) continues to express deep concern over the significant disparities highlighted in the latest local government finance settlement. The funding allocations continue to disadvantage rural communities,...
Read more
20 Jan 2025
SEND System at Breaking Point: The Growing Financial Risk to Local Authorities
A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a stark warning about the sustainability of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England. Without urgent...
Read more
14 Jan 2025
Urgent: Submit Your Input on Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement by 15th January
As the national champion for rural services, the RSN is committed to advocating for equitable funding across England’s rural communities. Today we will be submitting our detailed response to the...
Read more
14 Jan 2025
Government’s Response to Rural Services Network: Industrial Strategy Update
The government recently addressed the Rural Services Network’s (RSN) concerns regarding the new Industrial Strategy, which had been perceived as overlooking the potential and needs of rural areas. The response...
Read more
14 Jan 2025
Ensuring NHS Reforms Meet the Unique Needs of Rural Communities
In light of recent NHS announcements, the government has introduced ambitious reforms aimed at reducing the elective care backlog and enhancing patient access to services. These initiatives hold the promise...
Read more