Rural economy’s potential has been underrated and underexploited say academics

In the past rural economies have been overlooked by policymakers when they could be boosting productivity and jobs significantly and helping to rebalance economic growth across Europe.  But that picture could be improving with the launch of the UK Government’s new Industrial Strategy, according to academics from Newcastle University. Addressing a meeting  of representative from government departments, local economic partnerships, councils, rural agencies and academics,  Professor Jeremy Phillipson from Newcastle University’s Rural Enterprise UK initiative and INNGROW European project, said: “In England alone, rural areas contribute over half a million enterprises, 3.5 million employees and produce output equivalent to the country’s ten leading cities outside of London.  And yet they have all too often failed to appear in government strategies aimed at boosting growth.  So it is heartening to see them featured in this new Industrial Strategy White Paper.”

Last modified: Mon, 26 Mar 2018 14:41:08 BST