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.
28 Jul 2025
Rural Connectivity Still Falling Short As Farmers Call For Urgent Action
The latest NFU digital access survey reveals that rural broadband and mobile coverage still falls short of what British farming businesses need – with over a fifth of respondents unable...
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28 Jul 2025
Giving Every Child The Best Start In Life
The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South), recently delivered a statement to Parliament outlining the Government’s new Best Start in Life strategy. The plan sets...
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28 Jul 2025
High Street Boost for Staffordshire Businesses
Independent businesses in Stafford, Stone, and Eccleshall are invited to take part in the High Street Boost programme, delivered by Stafford Borough Council designed to help local traders thrive. Free...
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24 Jul 2025
Bringing rural innovation to life: New resources from NICRE’s Innovation Portal
The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) has launched new resources on its open-access Innovation Portal to help rural businesses, communities, policymakers and practitioners tackle key challenges. The three...
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21 Jul 2025
New ACS Report Reveals Public Priorities for Local Services
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has published its Community Barometer 2025, providing fresh insight into which local services voters value most and want to see more of in their...
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21 Jul 2025
West Devon Invests Second Home Tax In New Housing
West Devon Borough Council has committed to investing £80,400 from second home council tax income to support the purchase of two new homes under the Government’s Local Authority Housing Fund...
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21 Jul 2025
New Chair of the Rural Coalition appointed
A new Chair of the Rural Coalition has been appointed following the retirement of longstanding Chair Margaret Clark CBE. Mark Pragnell took over the reins of the Coalition last week,...
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21 Jul 2025
Dedicated Support for Rural communities to end
Last week the Government advised Local Authorities that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is coming to an end in March 2026, as set out in the latest Spending Review document....
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14 Jul 2025
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill Launched
The Government introduced the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to Parliament last week, describing it as a landmark step in its ambition to decentralise power and drive local growth...
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14 Jul 2025
The Case for Affordable Rural Housing
A major new research report was launched on Monday 7 July to mark the start of Rural Housing Week, setting out practical solutions to address the chronic shortage of affordable...
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