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

11 Aug 2025

End Digital Poverty Day 2025: Share your plans. Shape the national picture

On Friday 12 September, people and organisations across the UK will mark End Digital Poverty Day – a national moment for coordinated, visible action. Launched by the Digital Poverty Alliance...

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11 Aug 2025

Plunkett UK and Wates Unite for Sustainable, Thriving Rural Places

Wates Developments, a land, planning and development specialist driven by the purpose of creating places people can thrive, has announced a three-year strategic partnership with Plunkett UK. The new partnership...

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04 Aug 2025

Community Power at the Heart of New Rural Development

A trailblazing community business in West Sussex is demonstrating how local enterprise can help shape inclusive, resilient places — right from the start of a new development. The Woodgate Community...

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04 Aug 2025

Anchoring Prosperity: Universities and Local Economies

A new report by the Institute of Economic Development (iED) and AtkinsRéalis “puts universities at the centre of the debate on how to generate growth in local and regional economies...

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04 Aug 2025

What is a Rural Housing Enabler?

The term Rural Housing Enabler (RHE) comes up frequently in discussions about tackling the rural housing crisis—but what do they actually do? Rural Housing Enablers are independent facilitators who work...

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04 Aug 2025

Liquid Gas UK: Net Zero Must Work for All

Liquid Gas UK has responded to new survey findings by the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), which highlights the high cost of installing heat pumps remain a major barrier for...

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04 Aug 2025

£1million Revamp Of Clitheroe Town Centre Nears Completion

A £1million revamp of Clitheroe town centre featuring a raft of on-street improvements is nearing completion. Over £700,000 of improvements to Castle Street, including the narrowing of the road, resurfacing...

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28 Jul 2025

Championing Rural Fairness: RSN Drives Response to Fair Funding Consultation

The Rural Services Network (RSN) is leading a proactive response to the Government’s Fair Funding Review consultation, calling for urgent action to end the funding inequalities that continue to disadvantage...

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28 Jul 2025

Committee Warns Local Government Finance System is ‘Broken’

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has issued a stark warning that the current local government funding system is no longer sustainable – calling for urgent reform to protect...

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28 Jul 2025

Consultation Opens on Proposed Reforms to WaterSure Scheme

DEFRA has launched a consultation on proposed reforms to the WaterSure scheme, which supports low-income households in England with high essential water use by capping their water and sewerage bills....

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