The coalition government published a statement of its 'vision' for rural England, highlighting its plans for encouraging rural businesses.
Source: Rural Statement 2012, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Links: Statement | DEFRA press release | ACRE press release | CCN press release | Countryside Alliance press release | Labour Party press release | LGA press release | OSS press release | TCPA press release | Guardian report | RSN Online report
Date: 2012-Sep
A report said that developing rural economies could boost the national economy, but that the process needed to be carefully managed to avoid a 'two-speed' rural society. There was a clear risk that if the state passed power and responsibility to local communities without the necessary resources or support, some would rise to the challenge but many would not, thus creating a 'two-speed' rural economy.
Source: Mark Shucksmith, Future Directions in Rural Development, Carnegie UK Trust
Links: Summary | Carnegie press release | Newcastle University press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Sep
A report (by an official advisory body) examined the barriers to education, employment, and training experienced by young people in England's rural areas. Although there were clear associated challenges for all young people across England, there was also a rural dimension to the issue.
Source: Barriers to Education, Employment and Training for Young People in Rural Areas, Commission for Rural Communities
Links: Report | Summary | RSN Online report
Date: 2012-Jul
A paper examined the evolution and essential characteristics of partnerships within the context of rural governance in Europe. It highlighted emerging problems concerning the efficacy and relevance of partnerships as tools for rural development – in particular, issues around their accountability, legitimacy, inclusiveness, power, and potential for social learning.
Source: Alister Scott, Partnerships: Pandora's Box or Panacea for Rural Development?, Working Paper 11, Centre for Environment and Society Research (Birmingham City University)
Links: Paper
Date: 2012-Apr
An article examined economic performance in rural England. In general, English rural districts were less productive than the average, particularly where they fell outside city-regions.
Source: Nigel Curry and Don Webber, 'Economic performance in rural England', Regional Studies, Volume 46 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Feb
A study examined the relative importance of social enterprises to the economy, society, and environment of rural areas in England.
Source: Peter Couchman and Mike Perry, Review of Rural Social Enterprise in England: Final Report, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs/Plunkett Foundation
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Jan
A report called for more support for rural enterprise, tailored to reflect the diversity of economic activity in the countryside. Policies for economic development, innovation, and growth typically assumed an urban focus, neglecting the capabilities of rural areas.
Source: Jeremy Phillipson, Mark Shucksmith, Roger Turner, Guy Garrod, Philip Lowe, David Harvey, Hilary Talbot, Karen Scott, Terry Carroll, Menelaos Gkartzios, Carmen Hubbard, Eric Ruto, and Alan Woods, Rural Economies: Incubators and Catalysts for Sustainable Growth, Centre for Rural Economy (University of Newcastle)
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Jan