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

28 Apr 2025

Royal Support for Rural Housing

HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of English Rural, will attend the “Affordable Rural Housing: Opportunity in Changing Times” conference on Wednesday, 30th April 2025, held at Coram, Brunswick Square, London....

Read more

28 Apr 2025

Digital Inclusion: Progress, Purpose, Action

On Tuesday, 3 June 2025 the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) will host a day of discussion and reflection at the Square Tower in Portsmouth to introduce the next phase of its National...

Read more

28 Apr 2025

Rural Policing – Join the Conversation

The Rural Services Network, a proud Executive Board Member of the Rural National Crime Network, is encouraging rural residents to have their say on policing in their communities. The Rural...

Read more

28 Apr 2025

Inspiring Change in Rural Healthcare

The National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine (NCRRM) is once again preparing to welcome healthcare professionals from across the UK and beyond for its annual conference. Taking place on...

Read more

22 Apr 2025

Rural Growth Must Power National Renewal

Newly released figures from DEFRA’s Rural Economic Bulletin reveal a stark warning: productivity in England’s most sparsely populated rural areas has fallen to just 84% of the national average, down...

Read more

22 Apr 2025

Housing Crisis is a Health Crisis

A powerful new report from Crisis, supported by Health Equals, is shining a spotlight on how unaffordable private rents are driving people into poor health and homelessness. Titled “Now I...

Read more

22 Apr 2025

The Full Package on Rural Postal Services

Citizens Advice has published a new report, The Full Package: What Consumers Need from a Changing Postal Service, providing detailed insight into how people across England and Wales use letters,...

Read more

22 Apr 2025

Will Metro Mayors Deliver for the Countryside?

On Thursday 1 May 2025, voters in parts of England will head to the polls to elect metro mayors for several combined authority areas. These roles come with strategic powers...

Read more

22 Apr 2025

New Grants to Drive Innovation on Farms

DEFRA has announced a boost to food security, with more than £45 million in new grants to drive and develop innovative technologies on farms. From 28 April, applications will open...

Read more

14 Apr 2025

Elevating Rural Voices: RSN’s Year of Impact

As the national voice championing rural services, the Rural Services Network (RSN) is proud to reflect on a year of meaningful progress, advocacy, and collaboration. In 2024/25, we continued to...

Read more