Despite the range of businesses and interests in rural areas, farming is still considered by some as the “backbone”. In reality, half a million businesses unrelated to farming are found in rural areas, but supporting infrastructure still falls well short of urban areas.
The House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy, on Tuesday 10th July, will question academic experts in rural policy on whether the Government is neglecting rural businesses and areas and as a result, preventing their growth and development.
The session will begin at 9:45am in Committee Room 1 in the House of Lords. The witnesses include:
- Professor Janet Dwyer, Professor of Rural Policy, University of Gloucestershire
- Professor Jeremy Phillipson, Professor of Rural Development, University of Newcastle
Questions likely to be asked include:
- What Government policies have had the greatest impact on the rural economy (for better or worse)?
- How does land management interact with the rural economy and how has this relationship changed over time?
- What are the main barriers preventing rural businesses from growing and what should be the Government’s top priorities for supporting and promoting rural businesses and the rural economy?
- Does the Industrial Strategy pay enough attention to the promotion of the wider rural economy, beyond food and farming? What’s missing?
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