Hinterland
Rural News
UK ministers consider worker health checks to tackle labour shortages
This article provides some interesting insights into the crazy world of labour shortages at the moment. How can we have almost 50% economic inactivity in some of our coastal settlements alongside the need to engage overseas workers??? Ministers are looking at bringing in annual health checks for workers and allowing more hospitality staff to come […]
Taken for a ride: Forestry England urged to scrap paid-for horse permits
The value of the equine economy is something which has a major impact in rural settings and this article reminds us of some of the challenges those engaged in it face. It tells us: George Orwell’s “four legs good, two legs better” has long been the case when it comes to access to England’s forests, […]
Food shortages due to ‘supermarket culture’, says Leon co-founder
I’m having a food theme (at least in part this week) and I think Henry Dimbleby’s article here is really revealing in terms of the current problems facing those in horticulture. It tells us: The government’s food tsar has blamed Britain’s “weird supermarket culture” for shortages of certain vegetables. Henry Dimbleby said “fixed-price contracts” between […]
Train tickets go up in England and Wales by 5.9%
A slight relief for those in rural settings who need to use rail transport on a regular basis, this story tells us: Regulated rail fares in England and Wales are increasing by up to 5.9% as campaigners call for reforms due to unreliable services. The increase is above last year’s 4.8% hike but far below […]
Midlands growers warn salad shortage could last weeks
This article tells the salutary story of those seeking to provide core elements of our food offer in the teeth of massive increases in energy costs. Paul Drew, of Drews of Worcester, says his energy costs have risen from 15p per kilowatt to 62p per kilowatt. To speed up growth he has the option to […]
The Duchess of York on adopting the Queen’s corgis following her death
Just in case you wondered what had happened to the Queen’s corgis….. The Duchess of York said she “spoils” the corgis she and the Duke of York adopted following the death of the Queen in September. Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis during her reign and was known for her love of the breed. […]
BBC local radio: Shropshire Council leader urges rethink over cuts
Over the last decade or so of writing Hinterland we have drawn attention several times to the seminal role of local radio in underpinning the sustainability of rural settlements. This article returns us to that theme, it tells us: A council leader has urged the BBC’s director general to rethink planned cuts to local radio […]
Lib Dems call for higher pay for social care staff
Bearing in mind the disproportionate number of people who require domiciliary support in rural settings this article tells us: The Liberal Democrats are calling for a higher minimum wage for social care workers to help tackle staff shortages. Under the party’s plans, staff would be paid at least £2 an hour more than the minimum […]
Cost of living: ‘Struggling’ rural churches hit by energy costs
The role of churches as community buildings with a wider use than their core function and the impact of rising heating costs on their use is a key issue worth thinking through and I would be very interesting to hear about any examples of how this is impacting rural communities. This article tells us: Rural […]
Bird flu outlook is ‘grim’ as new wave of the virus heads for Britain
Yet more depressing news on this bird flu issue – which means we will be keeping the chickens in for longer than any of us might have hoped! A devastating new outbreak of avian flu – which has already wiped out wild bird populations across the UK – is likely to hit Britain in the […]
Energy prices to soar again as Jeremy Hunt rejects pleas to halt rise
Not a good story for energy inefficient rural settings, this article tells us: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has rejected calls to prevent sharp rises in domestic energy bills for all households in his March budget – meaning millions of users will see costs soar by about 40% from April. Instead, Hunt will emphasise the extra support […]
Rare Edward III gold coins found in Hambleden hoard
As an enthusiastic history buff I am regularly excited by these stories of real treasure turning up in rural settings. This story tells us: A coin expert said his eyes lit up when he saw 12 “rare” medieval gold coins, discovered with 616 silver pennies hidden in the wake of the Black Death. The hoard […]