Dear Rev. Price

With just under a month to go, momentum for the National Rural Conference 2025 continues to build – and we’re delighted to share that bookings have now passed 1,000 delegate registrations. It’s a strong sign of the interest and energy across our network, and we’d encourage all members to secure their place and be part of the conversation on the future of rural communities. Find out more here.

This week we spotlight the Rural Transport session at the conference. Transport is a theme that cuts across so many of the challenges rural communities face, and this session will highlight how new thinking and collaboration can deliver practical solutions that make a real difference.

This week’s Bulletin also brings you the latest stories from across rural policy and practice – from the Government’s new £9.5m Digital Inclusion Fund, to proposals for a council housing blueprint, expanded NHS checks and scans, and Defra’s call for evidence on support for women and girls in rural areas.

In addition, we are pleased to share the August edition of Casebook from the Rural Health and Care Alliance, with insight and updates from across the health and care landscape.

And lastly, with Parliament returning from the summer recess shortly, our parliamentary updates will resume from next week. On Monday there will be a General Debate in the House of Commons on regional transport inequality. The RSN team will share any relevant updates on this debate with members.

Kerry Booth, Chief Executive, Rural Services Network