Rural Business

Our work on Local Government Finance is split into two areas, the Fairer Funding  campaign and a financial analysis of local authority budgets.

Hot Topics

17 Mar 2025

Cabinet Agrees Investment To Continue Projects Supporting Local Job Skills, Businesses And Communities

The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk has agreed investment to continue projects supporting local people and job skills, local businesses, and communities into 2025/26. Cabinet has approved...

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03 Feb 2025

ACS Report: Urgent Support Needed for UK’s Vital Rural Convenience Stores

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has celebrated the investment, community contribution and range of services provided by the UK’s almost 19,000 rural convenience stores, despite significant challenges ahead.  The...

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27 Jan 2025

Transport East Summit Calls for Increased Investment

Transport East hosted its 2025 Transport Summit in Ipswich earlier this month, bringing together senior business leaders, MPs, government officials, and transport experts to discuss the critical role of transport...

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14 Jan 2025

Government’s Response to Rural Services Network: Industrial Strategy Update

The government recently addressed the Rural Services Network’s (RSN) concerns regarding the new Industrial Strategy, which had been perceived as overlooking the potential and needs of rural areas. The response...

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13 Jan 2025

New Deputy CEO Appointed At Plunkett UK

Harriet English has recently been announced as the new Deputy Chief Executive at Plunkett UK, the national charity that supports rural community businesses. Harriet has worked with Plunkett for 16...

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06 Jan 2025

Growing the Rural Economy: Insights from the House of Lords Debate

On the last day before the festive recess, the House of Lords held a significant debate, initiated by the Lord Bishop of St Albans, focusing on the crucial role and...

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06 Jan 2025

Update on the New Industrial Strategy Advisory Council

The government has recently unveiled the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (ISAC), a strategic initiative designed to bolster economic growth and enhance living standards nationwide. This announcement came from the Department...

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16 Dec 2024

Contribution of rural economies is ‘vital ingredient’ to Industrial Strategy

Recognising and nurturing the contribution and potential of rural economies is a ‘vital ingredient’ to a successful Industrial Strategy, according to the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE). NICRE...

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02 Dec 2024

Modern Industrial Strategy Response

The Government has been consulting on the Modern Industrial Strategy, Invest 2035, with growth of the economy as the number one mission of the Labour Government. The strategy is a...

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19 Nov 2024

New Legal Powers to Revitalise High Streets with High Street Rental Auctions

The government has announced new legal powers aimed at revitalising town centre high streets and transforming long-term vacant commercial properties. Set to come into effect on 2 December 2024, the...

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