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.
12 Jan 2026
Lords Report Warns UK Is Unprepared For An Ageing Society
A new report from the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee has warned that the UK is significantly underprepared for the economic and social impacts of an ageing population. The...
Read more
12 Jan 2026
New Pothole Ratings Shine A Light On Rural Road Challenges
A new government map showing how well councils are tackling potholes has put local road maintenance firmly back in the spotlight. Published by the Department for Transport, the interactive map...
Read more
06 Jan 2026
Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2026/27
The Government has published the provisional local government finance settlement for 2026/27, outlining planned funding allocations for local authorities in England and launching a statutory consultation on its proposals. While...
Read more
05 Jan 2026
Looking To 2026: Our Focus For Rural Communities
As we look to 2026, the context for rural services and local governance continues to evolve. Local government structures may shift. Strategic authorities may develop. Boundaries may change. But regardless...
Read more
05 Jan 2026
Government Responds To RSN On Fair Funding Concerns
The Rural Services Network (RSN) has received a formal response from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government following its letter raising concerns about the impact of Fair Funding...
Read more
05 Jan 2026
Call For Evidence: Young People And Work
The Government has launched an open Call for Evidence to inform a major new Young People and Work report, commissioned in November 2025 and led by the Right Honourable Alan...
Read more
15 Dec 2025
Local Government Finance Settlement Due
Local Authorities across the country are waiting for the Provisional local Government Finance Settlement, due to be published this week. This will be the first settlement following changes made to...
Read more
15 Dec 2025
Government Unveils Child Poverty Strategy for 2030
The Government has published its new Child Poverty Strategy, setting out measures it says will lift around 550,000 children out of poverty by the end of this Parliament. The strategy...
Read more
08 Dec 2025
Adequacy Of Funding To Support Homeless People
MPs met in Westminster Hall last week to debate whether current funding is adequate to support people experiencing homelessness. Opening the debate, Bob Blackman MP highlighted that homelessness is continuing...
Read more
01 Dec 2025
Budget 2025: Rural Impact At A Glance
The Rural Services Network has put together an initial overview of the Government’s 2025 Budget, highlighting the headline measures and the early implications for rural areas across energy, transport, housing,...
Read more