Rural Services Network - Rural Services Network

THREE in five rural businesses are dissatisfied with their broadband speeds, reveals a study.

RURAL businesses in south-west England show it is possible to innovate and grow, believes DEFRA secretary Caroline Spelman.

THE Countryside and Community Research Institute is examining the impact of different practices on cod fishing.

THE government's £60m rural economy grant scheme has been massively oversubscribed.

RURAL communities have a second chance to apply for rural broadband funding.

LOWER investment in rural business over the next 12 months could lead to restricted growth, say analysts.

FUEL prices have overtaken slow broadband as the biggest rural issue, a computer guru has warned.

ONE thousand rural businesses will benefit from the first grants under a new government scheme, claim ministers.

RURAL businesses have until the end of the month to apply for the first round of funding from a major new grant scheme.

SOME £250,000 in grant funding is still available for rural businesses looking to develop or expand in southern Oxfordshire.

BUSINESSES are being advised to apply now for funding under a new rural grant scheme.

THE government has unveiled a £20 million scheme to help provide work-based training for rural businesses.

A £60m rural grant scheme will turn ambitious business plans into reality, claims the government.

TOURISM, agri-food, forestry and renewable energy are among the areas targeted in a new rural grant scheme.

THE government aims to increase the contribution made by rural tourism to the economy, MPs have been told.

A COMPREHENSIVE plan is needed to realise the growth potential of rural economies, say experts.

A £15m pilot project to boost the rural economy has opened for applications.

MARKET towns have praised a report calling for new life to be breathed back into Britain’s high streets.

THE government's rural watchdog has issued a call for evidence relating to youth employment, education and training.

FEWER shoppers are visiting high streets in market towns, suggests a survey.

MOST people underestimate the contribution made by the countryside to the national economy, reveals a study.

RURAL tourism contributed £17bn to the national economy in 2010/11, according to the latest figures.

RURAL areas are being neglected for economic development funding, a local authority has warned.

RURAL towns have welcomed an independent review into ways of promoting more prosperous and diverse high streets.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE has become the latest addition to the local enterprise partnership network.

THE government's Localism Bill will increase red tape for businesses in the countryside, it is claimed.

PUBLIC sector job losses and pay freezes will result in reduced local spending in rural economies, say experts.

BUSINESS leaders have welcomed a pledge to reduce the amount of red tape they claim is hampering the rural economy.

GOVERNMENT policies threaten to stifle business in the countryside, a rural leader has warned.

EXPENSIVE communication and poor transport networks threaten to bring the rural economy to a grinding halt, say business leaders.

THE government has received almost 450 bids during the first round of its Regional Growth Fund.

THE government has confirmed another local enterprise partnership for the north-east of England.

MORE must be done to ensure Local Enterprise Partnerships have a positive impact, the government has been told.

RURAL leaders have hit out at the government's refusal to extend business rates relief on empty properties.

THE government has confirmed three new Local Enterprise Partnerships to boost business in the English regions.

LOCAL Enterprise Partnerships must listen to rural concerns, a government watchdog has warned.

RURAL business leaders have welcomed government plans to streamline planning rules.

THE government's Local Growth White Paper recognises the importance of the rural economy, say business leaders.

THE government has unveiled the first 24 local enterprise partnerships it hopes will drive economic growth across England.

RURAL motorists are set to bear the brunt of a 1p-a-litre rise in fuel duty.

FASTER rural economic growth is vital to sustain countryside communities, says a report.

THE government is examining 56 bids to form Local Enterprise Partnerships – the replacements for regional development agencies.

THE rural economic recovery is at risk due to high levels of public sector employment, suggests a report.

LOCAL authorities risk neglecting some important features of their rural economies, says a report.

FINANCIAL independence and customer loyalty are helping rural businesses weather the economic downturn.

THE government has launched a £1bn fund for areas and communities hard hit by public spending cuts.

A CITY council has launched a survey it believes will help stimulate the surrounding rural economy.

Planning restrictions are stifling rural development, business leaders have warned.

RURAL unemployment has risen by two-thirds in the past two years, reveal official figures.