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 Mar 2022

Government Seeks Views and Experiences of UK Rural Broadband

ISPreview reports that the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) has launched a new survey alongside the Government that seeks views and experiences of rural broadband connectivity from small...

Read more

14 Mar 2022

Businesses’ views sought on rural broadband connection

Rural SMEs are being invited to share their views and experiences of broadband connection and the effect this has on their business by completing a short survey Research is being...

Read more

14 Mar 2022

Tourism campaign in Stafford Borough receives financial boost

A campaign to encourage more visitors into town centres in Stafford Borough has received a boost from a European-backed fund The ‘Our Beautiful Borough’ campaign was launched towards the end...

Read more

07 Mar 2022

Concerns raised about the futures of a growing number of Post Offices

A group of 90 MPs and Peers who belong the All Party Parliamentary Group on Post Offices has written to the BEIS Minister and CEO of POL asking for action...

Read more

07 Mar 2022

Financial support for bus and light rail services

The Government has announced they will provide over £150 million, as a final COVID-19 support package, to help local transport authorities and operators run services As the sector continues to...

Read more
Rural Economy Spotlight – March 2022
Members only

07 Mar 2022

Rural Economy Spotlight – March 2022

A quarterly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current rural economic development news, issues and opportunities Firms in sparse rural areas more...

Read more

28 Feb 2022

UK’s farming policies contradictory, says NFU head

BBC reports that speaking at the National Farmers Union Conference on Tuesday, NFU president – Minette Batters, said farming was facing major issues in “an increasingly unstable world” She highlighted...

Read more

21 Feb 2022

Keep It in the Community – a nationwide register of Assets of Community Value

Plunkett Foundation has re-launched Keep It in the Community (KIITC), with support from Locality and Power to Change. It is an online register of all Assets of Community Value (ACVs)...

Read more

14 Feb 2022

Farmers slam new Countryside Code

The Daily Mail reports that farmers have criticised changes to the Countryside Code telling them to make rights of way more accessible, use clearer signage and swap stiles for self-closing...

Read more

14 Feb 2022

Total income from farming in England decreases by 10%

AgriLand reports that according to the latest estimated income statistics released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Total Income from Farming (TIFF) for England in 2020,...

Read more