In a hard hitting report which today landed on the desk of Gordon Brown, he has been accused of neglecting the growing band of rural entrepreneurs and continuing the age old bias towards the urban population. A highly critical report penned by Stuart Burgess, the government’s Rural Advocate and chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities, has called for an end to the urban bias and a sustained program of investment in rural affairs.

The report shows that there is a growing need for employment opportunities amongst the 16 to 18 year old age group and while there is potential for new ventures, there is a distinct lack of funding and government assistance. For many people this report further highlights the need to take greater notice of those in the countryside, a band of the population who often disappear off the radar until their votes are needed in an election.

When you consider that this ‘untapped potential’ in the countryside may have seen the overall UK economy short changed by a massive £347 billion the affect of this neglect really starts to hit home. There would be a double whammy if investment were forthcoming with an increase in tax income for the Treasury and a reduction in social security payments.

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