Reliable digital connectivity is now an essential part of everyday life, but rural communities continue to face challenges accessing the same level of broadband and mobile coverage as urban areas. New figures highlight the ongoing gap and why improving connectivity remains important for rural residents, businesses and community organisations.
Effective local infrastructure is not simply about supporting individual organisations; it is about connecting communities, the VCSE sector and public services so that local knowledge can influence wider decisions.
This Defra publication is a collection of statistics on a range of social and economic topics and provides broad comparisons between rural and urban areas by settlement type. The latest housing statistics for rural England are now available.
Recent legal developments have brought renewed attention to how sex is defined under the Equality Act 2010 and what this means in practice for organisations providing services and support. With the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) updating its Code of Practice, VCSE organisations may need to consider how these changes affect their policies, services and day-to-day practice.
Rising energy costs continue to put pressure on community organisations, but the right advice can uncover significant savings. Our partnership with NRG Solutions gives Norfolk's VCSE sector access to expert, independent support to help reduce costs, improve energy efficiency and plan for a more sustainable future.
We are sharing this information on behalf of Norfolk County Council.
The funding is part of a national Government programme and focuses on preventing crisis and strengthening community support, rather than responding to emergencies.
Some older electricity meters are being phased out, and if your home relies on electric storage heaters or off-peak electricity tariffs, it's important to check whether you're affected. The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) switch-off could affect how your heating and hot water work, so here's what you need to know and the steps to take if you have an RTS meter.