An attempt to overturn the “Cinderella status” of rural business has been launched by the CLA with the publication of a new report which aims to persuade politicians to unlock the potential of the rural economy.

‘Standing Up for Rural Businesses’ has been presented to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rural Business in the House of Common by CLA President Ross Murray.

The report demonstrates the vital contribution that rural businesses make to the countryside and to the wider economy. It also highlights key issues for rural areas within the current political agenda, focusing on the Housing and Planning Bill, the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill, and the anticipated Digital Economy Bill.

The CLA plans to follow up the launch of the report with a series of meetings with MPs and Peers to help ensure these important legislative changes deliver the right outcomes for rural areas.

CLA President and rural business owner Ross Murray said: “The countryside is buzzing with economic potential, but too often the 646,000 rural businesses in England and Wales are overlooked. We are the Cinderella of the UK economy. Our vision is that a person setting up - or growing - a rural business should have the same opportunities as anyone seeking to do so in towns and cities.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said: “Successful rural businesses – from food, farming and forestry to tourism, leisure and retail – are the heartbeat that sustains the countryside. The CLA is committed to standing up for rural businesses, and we are taking these messages to politicians and we shall also be asking them to come and see for themselves by meeting rural business owners across the South West.”

The Standing Up for Rural Businesses report highlights four priorities relating to the current political agenda:

? Digital connectivity

? The planning system

? Rural housing

? Devolution

• On Digital connectivity Mr Murray said: “In rural areas, nearly half of all premises are connected by lines that are unable to receive speeds higher than 10Mbps. Communities taking the initiative to invest in their own connections should be empowered with access to match funding or other incentives, rather than penalised.”

• On the planning system he said: “Almost half of the applications made to convert redundant farm buildings in England into much-needed rural homes, are being refused. We have reached the point that where a local planning authority has not yet delivered a Local Plan, they must be forced to do so.”

• On Rural housing he said: ““Rural businesses have a crucial role to play in tackling the housing crisis in the countryside. It is more important than ever to unlock the potential of private investment for housing delivery, along with a more positive approach to planning.”

• And on Devolution he said: “Devolution deals must not ignore the potential for growth within the rural economy, nor the needs of rural businesses and communities.”