Rural Economies

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.

Hot Topics

09 Jun 2017

Rural Conference 2017 focuses on New Routes to Economic Growth

THE need to focus attention on rural economies and new routes to economic growth are the key themes of the Rural Conference 2017. Speakers at the autumn event include David...

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08 Jun 2017

Brexit job fears for rural business

BREXIT has already caused problems for almost half of rural businesses trying to recruit staff, suggests a survey. Some 44% of Country Land and Business Association members surveyed have experienced...

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05 Jun 2017

Rural tourism ‘worth more than farming’

TOURISM generates more revenue and provides more employment for the rural sector than farming, delegates at a recent seminar were told. John Hoy, head of rural at consultants Bidwells, was...

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31 May 2017

£14.8m centre boosts rural economy

A multi-million pound state-of-the art visitor centre is set to boost the rural economy in north-east England. Northumberland National Park Authority has confirmed that its £14.8m visitor centre on Hadrian’s...

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22 May 2017

Rail campaign boost for rural tourism

A MAJOR community campaign has been launched to encourage scenic and sustainable tourism by rail. The ‘Scenic Rail Britain’ initiative is the brainchild of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP)...

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19 May 2017

Economic Factsheets – 2016

To inform and contextualise a local authority area’s economic situation, factsheets have been produced for our member authorities providing a wide range of facts, figures and associated graphs. The factsheets...

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27 Apr 2017

Call for rural productivity evidence

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...

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26 Apr 2017

‘Digital tax’ proposal ditched – for now

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...

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05 Apr 2017

Bank closures to hit rural businesses

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...

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27 Mar 2017

Rural businesses lack reliable broadband

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...

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