External Policies

This annual review from the Enterprise Research Centre offers a clear picture of the UK’s small business landscape in a year marked by cost pressures, economic uncertainty, and fragmented support. Entrepreneurial

Agri-food innovation is playing a vital role in the transition to net zero, with rural areas at the centre of experimentation and change. This resource brings together case studies and research

The schemes successfully supported 254 new entrants into agriculture but faced challenges in encouraging a younger generation of farmers due to limited impact and industry-wide issues. With the closure of the

This report evaluates Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) in Northern Ireland, including various LEADER program phases, and offers recommendations for future rural policies. Key findings emphasize empowering communities, reducing bureaucratic barriers, fostering

This report, commissioned by the Rural Community Network, assesses Northern Ireland’s public policy landscape on remote working, focusing on its potential for rural and social development. Drawing on practices from the

A proposed rural policy for Northern Ireland emphasizes community empowerment through grassroots involvement, trust-building, and inclusive decision-making. The framework advocates for reduced bureaucracy, decentralized decision-making, and a flexible, partnership-driven approach that

Unleashing Rural Opportunity centers on four key priorities for enhancing rural prosperity, aligned with current policies to improve quality of life in rural areas. These priorities are: boosting the rural economy,

This briefing examines Covid-19’s impact on rural economies, offering recommendations for the UK government. While UK-focused, its insights resonate with EU rural economies. Author(s): Jeremy Phillipson, Matthew Gorton, Roger Turner, Mark

Boosting productivity is essential for UK growth, yet low-productivity SMEs and regional disparities remain. Theories point to factors like industrial dynamics, agglomeration, institutions, and firm resources. Empirical analysis requires understanding hierarchical

Rural residents face significant mobility and service access challenges, worsened by the lack of a clear national rural transport policy. In response to the Department for Transport’s call for evidence on

Enhancing digital solutions for over 10,000 village halls across England is essential. ACRE’s 2021/22 project explored this need through workshops and surveys, offering recommendations for standardized digital processes, CRM adoption, and

This report examines the effects of rising business costs on 2,000 rural and 600 urban firms. Despite pressures, two-thirds kept employment steady, and 41% of rural firms saw turnover growth. Cash