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.
27 Jan 2026
RSN Presses Government On Rural Funding
The Rural Services Network has written directly to Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, setting out our concerns about the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement...
Read more
27 Jan 2026
APPG Chair Writes To Minister On Rural Funding Settlement
Following last week’s Annual General Meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Rural Services, the Group’s Chair, Sarah Dyke MP, has written separately to Alison McGovern MP, Minister of...
Read more
27 Jan 2026
Five Questions To Ask Your MP Ahead Of The Local Government Settlement
With decisions on the local government finance settlement expected next week, now is a crucial moment for rural communities to make their voices heard. MPs play a key role in...
Read more
27 Jan 2026
Plans Announced To Improve Access To Cancer Care Across England
The government has announced a package of measures aimed at reducing geographical inequalities in cancer care, with a particular focus on improving access to specialists and diagnostic technology in rural...
Read more
19 Jan 2026
APPG For Rural Services Sets Priorities For The Year Ahead
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Rural Services held its Annual General Meeting at Westminster last week. The meeting brought together MPs and Peers to agree the Group’s focus for...
Read more
19 Jan 2026
Children’s Care System Under Strain As Councils Face Rising Costs
A new report from the Public Accounts Committee has warned that England’s children’s residential care system is failing vulnerable children and placing growing, unsustainable pressure on local authorities. The Committee...
Read more
14 Jan 2026
Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-2027 to 2028-2029
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government Closed 14 January 2026 Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-2027 to 2028-2029 The local government finance settlement is the annual determination of funding...
Read more
13 Jan 2026
RSN Voices Serious Concerns Over ‘Fairness’ Of Settlement
The Rural Services Network has serious concerns over the new ‘fair and transparent’ Local Government Funding formula. Our analysis shows that in 2026-2027, the most urban councils will receive 41%...
Read more
12 Jan 2026
ONS Review Of Local Data Raises Questions For Place-Based Policymaking
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has indicated it is reviewing the scope, sequencing and frequency of some sub-national statistical outputs as part of a wider programme to prioritise its...
Read more