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A £2.3bn government investment in flood defences continues to discriminate against rural areas, business leaders have warned. The government says it now expects to protect 165,000 homes and businesses from flooding by 2015 – exceeding its previous goal...
RURAL businesses and organisations are to benefit from a £1m boost thanks to East Sussex County Council. Nine projects have had their grants approved through the council's Rural Growth and Employment Fund (RuGEF). They include initiatives put...
SOME 90,000 aspiring business people will receive training in a government drive for rural economic growth. The £20m business training scheme will bring new skills and business knowledge to rural areas, helping them take up new opportunities in...
HIGHER fuel prices paid by rural motorists are not the result of foul play, says the government's competition watchdog. Petrol is around 1.9ppl more expensive in the countryside than in towns and cities. Similarly, diesel costs around 1.7ppl...
COUNCILS that have welcomed growth are getting a major boost to their spending power, says the government. Housing minister Mark Prisk said the final allocation of cash payouts worth £668m through the government's New Homes Bonus, would be...
MORE than 300 community-run shops are being encouraged to enter the first awards for the sector. There are some 303 community shops in the UK – many run by volunteers in rural areas where the last village store...
THE countryside could be disadvantaged unless the government amends its Growth and Infrastructure Bill, rural business leaders have warned. The Country Land and Business Association said it wanted the bill amended to rural-proof economic development and ensure the...
FARMHOUSE bed and breakfast businesses have helped generate £3.5bn for the rural economy, says a report. The B&B sector is a major contributor to rural incomes on many farms, according to the study on behalf of accommodation body...
PROPOSALS to ease planning rules will put the countryside at risk, say conservationists. Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles announced a wide-ranging loosening of planning controls on Friday (25 January). These include removing the need to...
THE government says its £165m package of support measures unveiled in 2011 for the rural economy is bearing fruit. The rural economy growth review includes support for five rural growth network pilots expected to create around 3,000 jobs...
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Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural areas is more expensive.
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and difficulties recruiting health and care workers.
Rural communities are grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, marked by high house prices, a lack of affordable housing, elevated living costs, and lower incomes, threatening their sustainability and vitality.
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
Rural areas, encompassing a substantial portion of England's population and land, play a pivotal role in combating climate change and achieving the net zero target.
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
A future-focused vision for rural communities involves not just building the right homes in the right places but also ensuring thriving, sustainable communities.
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