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 Jun 2021

Broadband capacity is major obstacle to digital adoption for rural businesses

Businesses in rural areas have cited broadband capacity as a major obstacle to digital adoption in the latest research by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) The study...

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28 Jun 2021

Supporting rural jobseekers into work

With job vacancies recovering strongly, the labour market is in a state of flux again. Many employers are finding it incredibly difficult to fill job roles, especially in the hospitality...

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21 Jun 2021

UK ‘heading towards digital skills shortage disaster’

The UK is heading towards a “catastrophic” digital skills shortage “disaster”, a think tank has warned The Learning & Work Institute says the number of young people taking IT subjects...

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21 Jun 2021

Satellite broadband provider fights to rid rural Britain of sluggish broadband

The Telegraph reports on the continued rollout of Elon Musk’s Starlink internet satellites that aim to reach remote areas The technology could prove to be a solution to bridging Britain’s...

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14 Jun 2021

Govt Launches Tourism Recovery Plan

On 11 June 2021, the Government launched its Tourism Recovery Plan.  Designed to support the Tourism sector build back better from the pandemic, it aims to recover domestic tourism to...

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09 Jun 2021

RSN Economic Profiling Service – June 2021

– Unemployment Claimant Flows as an Indicator of Economic Performance – Alternative claimant count flows (Feb 2021) – Alternative claimant count as percentage of working population (Dec 2020)

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Rural Economy Spotlight – June 2021
Members only

07 Jun 2021

Rural Economy Spotlight – June 2021

A quarterly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current rural economic development news, issues and opportunities Innovation levels in urban and rural...

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01 Jun 2021

Rural economies boosted by new migration trends

Research published by Northumbria University is exploring how shifting work patterns and home-buying preferences are changing rural communities Analysis of data from the past decade shows that rural areas which...

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Rural Review of the Queen’s Speech 2021
Members only

24 May 2021

Rural Review of the Queen’s Speech 2021

At the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday 11 May, the Government, through the Queen’s Speech, set out its priorities and programme for the coming session including the legislation it...

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24 May 2021

Improving Broadband for Very Hard to Reach Premises

The Rural Services Network is encouraging people to respond to the Open Consultation from Government on Improving Broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises The consultation closes on 11th June...

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