17/12/2025
Exclusively brought to you by the Rural Services Network

Dear Marie

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the National Rural Conference 2025 last week. With over 700 delegates taking part across four days, 38 speakers and more than 1,400 hours of shared learning, it was a powerful reminder of the strength and commitment across our network. Your contributions made this year’s conference such a success, and we look forward to building on the conversations started there.

To keep the momentum going, we’ve launched our Delivering for All survey, and we encourage all our members and stakeholders to take part and share widely. The more responses we gather, the stronger the rural voice becomes. Take the survey here.

This week’s Bulletin covers a wide range of rural issues from the urgent need for fair funding in our councils, to the crisis in SEND support, the role of GOV.UK One Login in tackling digital exclusion, new research on the social value of pubs, and Youth Employment UK’s findings on young people not in education, employment or training.

We are also pleased to share the September edition of Casebook from the Rural Health and Care Alliance, alongside our latest member news from Applause Rural Touring. We always welcome news and updates from members to feature in future editions of the Bulletin.

Finally, next week I will be attending the Labour Party Conference, continuing our engagement with decision-makers to ensure that rural voices and priorities remain firmly on the national agenda.  If you are attending and fancy a coffee and a chat, get in contact with me at kerry.booth@sparse.gov.uk

Kerry Booth, Chief Executive, Rural Services Network

Have Your Say: Delivering for All Survey

Our Delivering for All survey is now live,  share your experiences of rural life to help strengthen the case for fairer funding and better services.

Kerry Booth: Why Fair Funding Matters for Rural Councils

RSN Chief Executive Kerry Booth sets out why fair funding is vital for rural councils and what’s at stake if Government fails to act.

Four Days, Hundreds Of Voices, Championing Rural Futures

Four Days, Hundreds Of Voices, Championing Rural Futures

743 delegates, 38 speakers and four days of learning, this year’s National Rural Conference highlighted the challenges and opportunities shaping rural futures.

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Parliament Debates the Crisis in SEND Support

Parliament Debates the Crisis in SEND Support

MPs have warned that the SEND system is ‘broken’, leaving families and councils in crisis. Sarah Dyke MP urged urgent reform to protect children’s rights and futures.

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GOV.UK One Login: Bridging the Digital Divide for Rural Communities

GOV.UK One Login

GOV.UK One Login promises simpler, safer access to over 100 government services,  helping rural communities overcome barriers to digital inclusion.

Read More
Pubs Deliver £8 of Social Value for Every £1 Invested

Pubs Deliver £8 of Social Value for Every £1 Invested

New research shows pubs generate over £8 of social value for every £1 invested, strengthening communities, reducing isolation, and supporting rural life.

Read More
A Million Young People On The Sidelines

A Million Young People On The Sidelines

Nearly one million young people are NEET (not in education, employment or training). A new report warns this is an economic crisis as well as a social one, and sets out solutions for change.

Read More
The September Edition of Casebook
The Latest From Our Members
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The Rural Services Network encompasses a wide range of partners and organisations who all work together to help provide a voice for rural communities. We represent over 500 organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors including leading national bodies, local authorities, utility companies, health trusts, housing associations, grass root community organisations and more.

The Rural Services Network is a membership organisation and includes different types of membership depending on the kind of organisation you belong to.
 For further details click here


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