Services
07 Feb 2018
Rural broadband ‘still in slow lane’
Campaigners say many rural areas still lack adequate broadband – although connections are getting faster. The government says it has delivered on a manifesto commitment to extend superfast broadband to...
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06 Feb 2018
Minister unveils £81m for rural services
The government has unveiled £81m for rural services as part of its finance settlement for local authorities. The funding was announced by communities secretary Sajid Javid as he confirmed the...
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05 Feb 2018
Finance settlement due this week
The government is set to confirm its financial settlement for local authorities amid growing concern that councils are struggling to deliver vital services. The final local government finance settlement for...
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02 Feb 2018
Council imposes instant spending ban
An immediate ban on spending has been announced by Northamptonshire County Council which says it faces a severe financial challenge. The Section 114 notice – which imposes immediate spending controls...
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30 Jan 2018
Rural shops invest £315m in services
Rural shops across the UK have invested over £315m over the last year in services for customers, says a report. Villages shops and other retail outlets have introduced services like...
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25 Jan 2018
Rural elderly ‘face social care crisis’
Elderly rural residents face a crisis situation because of austerity and poor access to social care, says a report. Called Issues Facing Providers of Social Care at Home to Older Residents...
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24 Jan 2018
Rural elderly ‘push services to limit’
An unprecedented boom in the elderly population is pushing local services to breaking point, say councils. The number of elderly people in county areas has risen by half a million...
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22 Jan 2018
Village halls ‘vital service providers’
Village halls are vital when it comes to delivering rural services, Defra minister Lord Gardiner of Kimble has said. The rural affairs minister and Conservative peer described the community buildings as...
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19 Jan 2018
Rural areas lack cash machines
Rural communities are among 200 areas in Britain with few or no cash machines. Consumer group Which? says the communities might be hardest hit by proposals that could reduce the...
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17 Jan 2018
Funding cuts pile pressure on services
Funding cuts are set to pile further pressure on already over-stretched public services, the Rural Services Network has warned. Rural local authorities are set to lose one third of their...
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