NICRE responds to Labour Rural Research Group call for evidence

NICRE responds to Labour Rural Research Group call for evidence

The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) has submitted evidence to the Labour Rural Research Group’s call for evidence on the future of the rural economy.

Drawing on NICRE’s research and engagement with rural businesses and communities across the UK, the submission highlights both the significant contribution rural economies make to national growth and the barriers that continue to hold back their potential.

The response builds on and updates previous NICRE evidence submissions relating to the Government’s growth and “Plan for Change” agendas. It sets out the case for a stronger rural lens across economic development, industrial strategy, innovation and skills policy.

The submission highlights a number of key issues affecting rural economies, including:

• skills shortages and recruitment challenges
• poor transport and digital infrastructure
• lack of affordable housing
• barriers to innovation and investment
• the need for more place-sensitive policy and devolved decision-making

It also outlines the major opportunities rural economies present for growth, innovation and national resilience - from advanced manufacturing and clean growth to creative industries, defence, food systems and rural innovation clusters.

NICRE’s evidence stresses that rural businesses are as capable of growth and innovation as their urban counterparts when given the right support and investment.

The submission calls for a long-term, cross-government rural economic strategy, alongside stronger recognition of rural economies within industrial strategy, innovation policy and devolved growth plans.