(Link: The Guardian, 23 November)
This article profiles one element of the crack down on migrants. It reveals: "The home secretary, Theresa May, will close the door on up to 120,000 international students who come to Britain each year under plans being considered to restrict visas to those on degree-level courses only.
    "Academics and students warned that closing down student visas for those on "below-degree" courses - about 40% of the annual total - would devastate the finances of further education and ultimately mean that British students would "have to pay even more for a university degree".
    A number of key industries in rural areas, particularly land based operations rely on migrant workers from outside of the EU and a number of FE Colleges serving these areas support non-degree migrant students. I suspect some significant unintended consequences may flow from this approach in terms of the vitality of rural economies.

(Link: Daily Telegraph, 24 November)
Soon to be Tory Peer Michael Grade is making a speech in Cambridge arguing the licence fee should be extended to cover Channel 4 and S4C. I hope if his plans win any converts they don't happen at the cost of good local radio services which are often a real rural lifeline.
    Since the introduction of the new Government we are still waiting for the new spin on Digital Britain to be fully rolled out. I hear very good things about the work of Broadband Delivery UK in Eden and I was really pleased to meet them and talk about the challenges facing Lincolnshire in terms of the lack of any planning to provide us with fibre connectivity.
    I say this because the organisation seems very receptive to a detailed debate about rural connectivity and just in case you hadn't yet had a chance to beat a path to their door I think it is worth doing from a County perspective at least.  I established this contact at a BIS meeting for the first 24 LEPs and pushed further my suggestions that the 4 predominantly rural LEPs should be supported in developing a rural LEP "first mover" network to ensure we don't yet again lose out to "urban man" in thinking about LEPs.
    Friends in Cornwall, Cumbria and Shropshire are being very supportive, as are Defra and if you think you can contribute any ideas to the debate, or would like some support for a yet to happen LEP in your area, let me know.

(Link: Independent, 24 November)
 I find it really sad to see the Anglican Church going through this turmoil.
    I think we undervalue the contributions all faiths make to good governance in neighbourhoods - through engagement in Local Strategic Partnerships and more widely in terms of key elements of underpinning the voluntary, community and education sectors.
    I am sure this phenomenon relates to both urban and rural places but from a purely rural perspective I think we should do more to celebrate and value the contribution of faith groups - which often act in my experience as honest brokers. Without taking sides in terms of this article and the Anglican covenant, I have to take the opportunity to acknowledge one of the quoted speakers - the Bishop of Lincoln - has made to the work of the Public Sector in Lincoln.
    I was at a meeting of farmers convened by him to talk about the future of the land based sector just a fortnight ago. He has also chaired our LSP for the last 3 years. Once he has retired he will be sadly missed.

(Link: The Guardian, 24 November)
 This is a brilliant rural palliative to the fuel poverty challenges we have previously campaigned about via the Rurasl Services Network.
    The article reveals how well-off pensioners in rural areas are donating their winter fuel payments to those who really need it. The scheme has been gathering momentum since it was launched by a local charity in Somerset less than a month ago. The Somerset community foundation has received over 100 donations or pledges and is on course to raise £30,000.
    "We know many people who get the winter fuel payment and don't rely on it and would be comfortable giving it to those who actually do need it," said Justin Sargent, foundation director.
    The payment is a universal state benefit of between £125 and £400, depending on age and domestic circumstances, made to everyone aged over 60 on the electoral roll during November and December. The Somerset scheme, which has spread to other counties, has received backing from high profile pensioners such as Michael Eavis, founder of the Glastonbury festival."
    Here is the Big Society doing good - red in tooth and claw!

Independent, 24 November 2010
My colleague Jessica only really eats chocolate so this list will be prosaic and boring to her. For those of you with more of an occasional sweet tooth, there are some interesting revelations here!