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

19 Sep 2023

RSN National Conference 2023: And we are off!

Our annual conference has started with a bang this year thanks to all our fantastic speakers and delegates.   Speaking after the second day, RSN Chief Executive Kerry Booth said: “So...

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11 Sep 2023

Barclays becomes the latest bank to close rural branches

Barclays has announced it is to close at least 180 of its branches in the next 2 years, more than a third of its entire UK networks. The news comes...

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11 Sep 2023

New report reveals broadband outages have doubled in last year

A new report from Uswitch, reveals that broadband outages have doubled in the last year. Sky News report that: “Uswitch’s report found 15% of people have been prevented from working...

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Rural Economy Spotlight – September 2023
Members only

11 Sep 2023

Rural Economy Spotlight – September 2023

A quarterly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current rural economic development news, issues and opportunities Almost time for the 2023 National...

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01 Sep 2023

RSN joins businesses and charities urging Chancellor to safeguard cash as vital payment method

The RSN has joined a coalition of businesses, charities and consumer groups to issue an open letter to Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging for the protection of cash...

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01 Sep 2023

Red tape around house building scrapped by government

Over 100,000 new homes, which the government says have been “held up due to defective EU laws”, will now go ahead before 2030, delivering an estimated £18 billion boost to...

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29 Aug 2023

Rural entrepreneurs bring about business boom

Almost 100,000 micro businesses have been started in rural areas in the last 12 months according to new research. The data from Venture Forward, an initiative from GoDaddy, shows that...

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21 Aug 2023

Government promises free access to cash to be protected “particularly” for those living in rural areas

A new policy is to be introduced which will ensure that the ‘vast majority of people and businesses’ will be no further than three miles away from a place where...

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21 Aug 2023

Local council welcomes news of UK’s second investment zone

Plans to create the UK’s second investment zone in Liverpool, focusing on life sciences, are being welcomed by neighbouring rural areas. The Government said that the move could unlock £320...

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14 Aug 2023

Urban Councils budget to spend double that of rural on discretionary services

Research, completed by the Rural Services Network has shown that Urban Councils budget to spend double that of rural councils on discretionary services per head for the year 2023 –...

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