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Rural Economy
Rural businesses and communities are being asked to help explore issues around rural productivity and growth in south-west England. The South West Rural Productivity Commission has been established as a partnership by four local enterprise partnerships in the region....
Rural businesses have welcomed a government decision to drop its Making Tax Digital plan from the Finance Bill. The plan would have required businesses to submit tax information online rather than on paper. Many small rural businesses had warned...
A fresh round of bank branch closures threatens to make life difficult for rural firms, say business leaders. Some 100 branches owned by the Lloyds Banking Group are expected to close their counters for the last time between July...
Rural businesses are twice as likely to have inadequate internet connections as those in cities, says a study. Companies say they lack reliable broadband connections, despite ranking fully functional broadband as extremely important to their operation. Study findings...
The Rural Services Network has welcomed a government decision to abandon a planned increase in national insurance payments by the self-employed. The U-turn by the government came a week after chancellor Philip Hammond used his 8 March Budget to...
THE government's Budget contained little joy for businesses in the countryside, say rural leaders. The Country Land and Business Association welcomed a cap on business rates but said it was "insufficient for thousands of rural businesses facing immediate harm"....
PRESSURE is mounting over government reforms which threaten to drive up rural business rates. The first revaluation of business rates by the government in seven years will see many businesses pay more due to increases in property values. ...
European subsidies should be refocused to unlock wider rural growth after the UK leaves the European Union, says a think tank report. The IPPR North document says key Common Agricultural Policy funding and powers should "leapfrog" from the EU...
Rural communities will be among the biggest losers from what is described as a radical reform of business rates. Rural enterprises face some of the steepest business rate rises in England, according to league tables seen by The Times...
THE government is facing calls to help secure the future of thousands of rural shops. Campaigners say action is needed so 19,128 rural shops can continue to provide essential services. Many village stores double up as the local...
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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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