A report provided a snapshot of rural policy in the United Kingdom. It said that there was greater diversity in the rural economy than was reflected in policy and called for rural growth policy to look beyond its focus on the more traditional rural sectors (such as farming, forestry, and food) and for rural business needs to be reflected in the work of local enterprise partnerships and combined authorities. The report also considered the need for policy to reflect a range of social issues, including poverty and social exclusion, an ageing demographic, housing affordability, and transport.
Source: Reimagining the Rural: What's missing in UK rural policy?, Centre for Rural Economy (University of Newcastle)
Links: Report | Newcastle University press release
Date: 2014-Sep
An article examined the role of private sector enterprises in building the resilience of rural communities, changes in rural enterprise activities, and their impact on rural life in Scotland.
Source: Artur Steiner and Jane Atterton, 'The contribution of rural businesses to community resilience', Local Economy, Volume 29 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Apr
An article examined rural and urban youth employment prospects in England, based on semi-structured interviews and data from the British Household Panel Survey. It said that young people in rural locations faced distinct labour market disadvantages arising from issues such as a lack of network/contacts, inability to access unadvertised job vacancies, the absence of larger businesses in the locality, and the inability to relocate.
Source: Martin Culliney, 'Going nowhere? Rural youth labour market opportunities and obstacles', Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, Volume 22 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Mar