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Government launches new virtual cyber school for young people
Skills that will be offered include learning how to crack codes, fix security flaws and dissect criminals’ digital trails, setting teenagers and young people up perfectly for a job in cyber security. The school provides free weekly webinars from industry experts, covering the fundamentals of the industry including digital forensics, cryptography and operating systems.
Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said:
“This new initiative will give teenagers something fun and educational to do from home and provide them with a glimpse into the life of a cyber security professional. We have a world-leading cyber sector which plays a crucial role protecting the country and our digital economy, so it is absolutely vital we continue to inspire the next generation of tech talent to help maintain the UK’s strong position.”
It comes as the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) launches its hugely popular CyberFirst summer courses, offered to more than a thousand 14 to 17-year-olds.

June 2 2020 - Click for the Full bulletin
RSN and Institute of Economic Development work together to support rural
Public health directors urge delay to lockdown easing amid test and trace confusion
City-dwellers considering a move to the countryside due to the pandemic
Issues raised at the 29th May meeting of the Rural Impacts Stakeholder Forum (RISF)
The Prince’s Countryside Fund awards emergency grants to rural communities
Local communities could run rural railway lines
Rural Housing Alliance write to the Secretary of State for Housing to offer support
COVID-19 Rural Communities Pulling together
Tough new rules to lock down whole towns to rapidly isolate new COVID-19 sufferers
UK Shared Prosperity Fund must replace lost EU rural funding
Defra food vulnerability update
Rural Related Politics - An RSN weekly review
May 27 2020 - Click for the Full bulletin
RSN asks for Government for local approach to track and trace
Issues raised at the latest meeting of the Rural Impacts Stakeholder Forum (RISF)
The Plunkett Foundation write to Local Authority Leaders
Study suggests increase in employment in rural areas despite lockdown
Defra grant to food charities update
Coronavirus Community Support Fund
COVID-19: Extra bank holiday for October being considered
£3.8 million rural economy innovation centre set to launch
Plastic bottle recycling pilot highlights solution to meet UK’s recycling challenges
Rural Britain needs a new deal
Three initiatives support rural businesses and households during COVID-19
Northern Pennines Moorland Group distribute PPE to local NHS trusts
COVID-19 Rural Communities Pulling together
Rural Related Politics - An RSN weekly review
May 19 2020 - Click for the Full bulletin
Covid-19 rural lockdown exit strategy update from the RSN
Coastal towns feel fear over lockdown easing
New centre to help unlock potential of the UK’s rural economies
Rural Charity to provide Hardship Support Fund
Food vulnerability update from Defra
Slash tourism VAT to kick-start rural economy, says rural business group
COVID-19 Rural Communities Pulling together
£5bn needed to stop local cuts say county councils
Virus persisting at higher rate in north of England
Drivers urged to take extra care when driving in the countryside
May 12 2020 - Click for the Full bulletin
Rural areas concern over ‘Stay alert’ advice’
Self Employment Income Support Scheme
‘Unprecedented’ number of countryside visitors during lockdown
COVID-19 Rural Communities Pulling together
Homebuyers 'plotting move to country' amid increased home working
Fears children ‘being left behind’ due to lockdown digital divide
One in 10 rural English and Welsh properties don't have superfast broadband option
Rural areas have a higher job loss risk due to Covid-19
Cities could be treated differently to rural areas when lockdown restrictions are lifted
The FCN supporting the farming community through difficult times
RSN statement on fair funding delay
RSN to host first online seminar
RSN champions pandemic related rural issues with Government
Rural Related Politics - An RSN weekly review
Evidence session on the impact of the ‘digital divide’ during the Covid-19 crisis
April 28 2020 - Click for the Full bulletin
RSN responds to government’s consultation on ‘First Homes’
Rural organisations call for lockdown travel guidelines to be reviewed
RSN contact Government on exit strategy implications for rural communities
Important information for vulnerable utility customers
COVID-19 death rates 'could be 80% higher in rural communities'
Water companies step up action to help customers in need
Rural Mobile Coverage – The Shared Rural Network
COVID-19 Rural Communities Pulling together
Despite a strong community spirit, COVID-19 exposing real challenges in our rural areas
Slow rural internet speeds 'adding hours to working day' during lockdown
Network urges rethink of Coronavirus policing guidelines
April 21 2020 - Click for the Full bulletin
Click here for advice from the Local Government Association on working remotely, support on the different types of technology that is available and also how we have found remote working here at RSN!
RSN contact Government on exit strategy implications for rural communities
Rural Mobile Coverage – The Shared Rural Network
PRA urges Chancellor to ensure all ATMs are free to use during lockdown
COVID-19 – Rural business update
COVID-19 Rural Communities Pulling together
Government pledges extra £1.6 billion for councils
Government announces major package to support online learning
Public urged to re-book UK rural holidays once COVID-19 crisis ends
The 2.6 Challenge - Help save the UK's charities
Important information for vulnerable utility customers
Network urges rethink of Coronavirus policing guidelines
COVID-19: Future of rural touring at risk as 1,000 performances cancelled
Rural counties see a spike in COVID-19 cases amid fury over 'Coronavirus holidays'
COVID-19 RURAL NEWS & ADVICE
Read all the latest Coronavirus news & advice related to rural areas below:
#LEVELUP FE - REMOTE LEARNING OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RURAL FE COLLEGES
The final article in Rural Services Network (RSN) chief executive Graham Biggs and Young Somerset chief executive Nik Harwood’s mini-series for Further Education News reported this week on how the coronavirus crisis has thrown rural connectivity into the spotlight -...
FOOD DELIVERIES FROM VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE LIFELINE
Families in parts of rural England say they are totally dependent on volunteers delivering food during the coronavirus crisis In rural England many households face long journeys to buy food and this is more difficult if families are...
RURAL COUNTIES SEE A SPIKE IN COVID-19 CASES AMID FURY OVER 'CORONAVIRUS HOLIDAYS'
The Conversation, an online publication that publishes academic articles, published data from genetics professor Tim Spector’s COVID-19 symptom tracker app which suggests that people leaving the city for the countryside have unwittingly packed the virus with them The article...
CAMPAIGNERS CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE FREE ACCESS TO CASH DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
A coalition including campaign group Positive Money, the Petrol Retailers Association, Responsible Finance, the Rural Services Network and NoteMachine, the UK’s second largest provider of ATMs, has called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to urgently intervene to protect the...
THE NATIONAL RURAL CRIME NETWORK - CORONAVIRUS & RURAL COMMUNITIES
The National Rural Crime Network do not believe that there has been sufficent focus on the millions of people who live and work in rural Britain They are asking Ministers to urgently consider the impact the Coronavirus pandemic is...
Politics Home reported that a coalition of Liberal Democrat, Labour, SNP and Green MPs have written to Business Secretary Alok Sharma to demand a major expansion of a scheme offering struggling households a £140 reduction in their energy bills ...
FARMERS REPORT SURGE IN FLY-TIPPING INCIDENTS AS LOCKDOWN SEES DUMPS CLOSED
Rural areas around the UK have seen a dramatic increase in fly-tipping over the last number of weeks, with many households seeing the lockdown period as an ideal time for a spring clean of homes and gardens The Countryside...
COVID-19 - RURAL COMMUNITIES PULLING TOGETHER
We asked for examples of our rural communities pulling together and have been inundated with responses so far! We are going to feature 10 each week, as we receive them and have some fabulous examples this week. We have...
PUB IS THE HUB OFFERING ADVICE TO LICENSEES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
The Pub is The Hub have announced that despite being home bound their advisors are still as busy as ever offering advice to licensees across the country Many of these licensees are either continuing with projects or developing new...
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VULNERABLE UTILITY CUSTOMERS
Utility Companies providing Gas, Electricity and Water all keep Priority Services Registers, this is a free service provided by suppliers and network operators and each maintain their own register. These registers are lists of their most vulnerable customers, so...
Important information for vulnerable utility customers
Coronavirus - Support and advice for people affected by dementia
Suspension of regional transport
Coronavirus check points established across the country
Rural Response - Emergency Grants Programme
The remote and rural hospitals at threat from coronavirus
Coronavirus: 'Stay at home' plea as Easter holiday starts
Tell us about your rural community working together during lockdown
Rural petrol stations forced to close
Extra vigilance needed as coronavirus lockdown triggers surge in fly-tipping
Statement - Supporting the Cultural Sector