Profile of the rural economy within the New Anglia LEP area

1. The rural economy in New Anglia LEP
Final report v1.3
March 2011

2. About the Evidencing Rural Need resource 2
About the Evidencing Rural Need resource
Evidencing Rural Need Acknowledgements
Evidencing Rural Need is a new resource that shows the real picture of socio- For their valuable help with the Evidencing Rural Need project, ACRE would
economic issues across rural areas of England, and will enable organisations like to thank the members of the steering group:
to influence decisions about policies and services more effectively. Building on
 Julie Bowers (Rural Action East Midlands)
the pioneering work with the Rural Community Action Network, ACRE
 Jon Clemo (Norfolk RCC)
commissioned Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI) to further
 Peter Harding (Community Council of Devon)
develop a set of the reports for all rural areas across England.
 Michael Hunt (Community Impact Bucks)
Evidencing Rural Need comprises a series of reports, prepared for a range of  Simon Kiley (Action in Rural Sussex)
geographies, initially highlighting the incidence of deprivation in rural  Richard Quallington (Community First)
communities throughout England but now including the rural economy and  Roger Roberts (Action with Communities in Cumbria)
access to services. Although there is a great deal of data available for villages,  Jean Roberts-Jones (Surrey Community Action)
hamlets and smaller towns, this information has not been brought together so  Linda Watson (Oxfordshire RCC)
succinctly in a single resource for all settlements in rural England.  Stephen Wright (South West ACRE Network)
The reports are available through RCAN members but the full range and ACRE would also like to thank DEFRA for their support and provision of
background information can be viewed at www.rural-evidence.org.uk. Ordnance Survey data and licensing, OS license number 100022861.
©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011. This report, or any part thereof, may be
reproduced in any format or medium, provided that is reproduced accurately
and not used in a misleading context. The source of the material must be
identified and the title of the publication specified with the copyright status
acknowledged.
Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI)
Address 15-17 Middle St, Brighton, BN1 1AL
Tel: +44 1273 201 345
Email: info@ocsi.co.uk
Web: www.ocsi.co.uk
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

3. Introduction 3
1 Introduction
Background
The Coalition government has emphasised the importance of greater local
influence on services and decisions 1 . Although it is not yet clear how (and at
what level) this influence will operate in practice, robust evidence can help
partners demonstrate the importance of rural issues to local authorities, local
enterprise partnerships and other service commissioners operating in a climate
of scarce resources.
There is considerable information on the rural economy at national level 2 ,
however comparatively little at local level. This report provides information for
rural New Anglia LEP, assessing the local rural economy on a number of key
indicators.
What does this rural economy profile contain?
 Section 2 explores employment and jobs in rural New Anglia LEP
including employment rates and jobs by sector and occupation.
 Section 3 sets out the strength of the local economy, including the
number, type and size of local business units, and levels of small and
large businesses.
 Section 4 highlights levels of unemployment and worklessness in the local
rural economy, showing which groups (age and gender) are most likely to
be receiving out-of-work benefits.
 Appendix A lists the data sources and indicators used in the report
(including details of the methodology).
 Appendix B outlines the different geographies for which data is available.
 Appendix C is a “help” resource, showing how to read the tables and
charts in the report.
1 For example, see the 2011 Localism Bill.
2 Including the State of the Countryside series and other publications from the
Commission for Rural Communities.
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

4. Employment and occupations in rural New Anglia LEP 4
2 Employment and occupations in rural New Anglia LEP
came from large firms (those employing 250 or more people). Between
The local picture 2008 and 2009 there was a marked reduction in employment in all rural
This section highlights the local rural economy in terms of employment and and urban categories for those micro businesses employing 1 to 2 people.
occupations, including employment rates, and jobs by industry sector and
occupation: Useful datasets on employment and occupations in local rural areas
 How do employment levels in rural New Anglia LEP compare with other Up-to-date information on employment and jobs for local rural areas is scarce. The
areas? regularly published Annual Population Survey (APS) provides data for local authorities,
 What are the main occupations and what industry sectors do residents in but not for smaller areas. Census 2001 includes information for local areas, but is now
rural New Anglia LEP work in? 10 years out-of-date. For the analysis in this section we have combined the local area
See the “Useful datasets” box below and Appendix A for details of the data data from Census 2001 together with up-to-date information from the APS, to estimate
information on employment and jobs for local rural areas (see Appendix A for details).
The national context Overall employment rate and self employment rate
Nationally, rural analysis from the State of the Countryside3 identifies: The proportion of people who are in employment in local areas (including self
employment) has been estimated from the Census 2001 combined with the APS. For
 Higher employment levels in rural areas: The overall employment rate is
more information see http://www.data4nr.net/resources/594.
notably higher in rural areas than in urban, and by the fourth quarter of
2009 the employment rate in rural areas had returned to similar levels to The proportion of people who are self-employed in local areas has been estimated from
early 2007 (ie, before the impact of the downturn). the Census 2001 combined with the APS. For more information see
 Largest sectors: In 2009 the property and business services sector was http://www.data4nr.net/resources/841.
the largest employer in both rural and urban areas, accounting for 16% Employment by occupational group and industry of employment
and 20% of all employment respectively.
 Employment sectors affected by the downturn: Between 2008 and 2009 Information on occupational group is available from the Census and APS, for example
the sector in rural areas with the largest decline in number employed was managerial, professional or elementary occupations. The Standard Occupation
the education sector (3,615) whilst in urban areas the manufacturing Classification (SOC2000) is coded from the full title of each person’s main job and the
sector recorded the largest reduction in employment. description of what is done in that job (the ‘main’ job is where that person usually
 Employment by business size: In 2009 around a quarter of all employment works). For more information see http://www.data4nr.net/resources/329.
in rural areas was generated by those businesses employing 10 to 49 Information on industry of employment identifies the main sectors worked in by
people. In hamlets and isolated dwellings a further fifth of all employment residents, for example manufacturing, health, education, or agriculture. For more
information see http://www.data4nr.net/resources/327.
3 Commission for Rural Communities (2010). State of the Countryside 2010. Available
from http://ruralcommunities.gov.uk/2010/07/06/state-of-the-countryside-2010/.
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

5. Employment and occupations in rural New Anglia LEP 5
Employment levels in New Anglia LEP and rural comparators
How do employment levels in rural New Anglia LEP compare with
Loca l ly, the employment
other areas? ra te i s similar i n urban
52% of 48% of a ll employed
a reas a nd rural a reas empl oyed people in New Anglia
70
The tables and charts on this page compare the overall employment rate people live i n LEP live in rural a reas
urba n areas
across rural and urban areas in New Anglia LEP, and in rural areas across the 60
region and England as a whole.
Employment rate (%)
50
 The employment rate is similar in rural and urban areas in New Anglia
40
LEP, with 64% of adults in rural areas in employment, compared with 64%
64.2 64.1 64.3
in urban areas and 64% in New Anglia LEP as a whole. 30
 In total, 48% of those people in employment in New Anglia LEP live in 20
rural areas (324,660 people).
10
 Rural areas in New Anglia LEP have a lower employment rate (64%) than
the average for rural areas across England as a whole (66%). 0
Tota l Rura l Urba n
Number of people Employment rate % of all employed
in employment (%) people in the
The employment ra te is lower i n The employment ra te is lower i n
area
rura l New Anglia LEP tha n across rura l New Anglia LEP tha n the rural
New Anglia LEP 675,300 64.2 rura l a reas i n the region Engl and average
- Rural 324,660 64.1 48.1
80
- Urban 350,640 64.3 51.9 70
Empl oyment ra te (%)
East of England 2,588,730 66.6 60
- Rural 799,400 66.9 30.9 50
- Urban 1,789,330 66.5 69.1 40
30 64.2 64.1 64.3 66.6 66.9 66.5 63.5 65.9 63.0
England 22,567,850 63.5
20
- Rural 4,445,200 65.9 19.7
10
- Urban 18,122,650 63.0 80.3 0
Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
Ea s t of England
Engl and
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Urba n
- Urba n
- Urba n
New Anglia LEP
Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

6. Employment and occupations in rural New Anglia LEP 6
Self-employment levels in New Anglia LEP and rural comparators
How do self-employment levels in rural New Anglia LEP compare Loca l ly, s elf employment levels
a re hi gher in rural a reas than 39 % of s el f 61 % of a l l self-
with other areas? urba n areas empl oyed empl oyed people in
14 New Anglia LEP l ive
people live in
The tables and charts on this page compare the self-employment rate across 12 urba n areas i n rura l areas
rural and urban areas in New Anglia LEP, and in rural areas across the region
Self employment (%)
and England as a whole. 10
 Self employment levels are higher in rural areas in New Anglia LEP than 8
urban areas, with 60,640 people in rural areas self employed (12.0%), 6 12.0
compared with 7.0% in urban areas and 9.4% in the area as a whole. 9.4
4
 In total, 61% of self employed people in New Anglia LEP live in rural 7.0
areas. 2
 Rural areas in New Anglia LEP have a similar self employment rate
0
compared with the average across rural England as a whole (12.5%).
Tota l Rura l Urba n
Number of Proportion of % of self
people self people self employed Sel f employment levels a re similar Sel f employment levels a re similar
employed employed people in a cros s rural areas in New Anglia a cros s rural areas in New Anglia LEP
LEP a nd rura l a reas a cross the a nd the rural England average
the area
regi on
New Anglia LEP 98,720 9.4 - 14
- Rural 60,640 12.0 61.4 12
Sel f employment (%)
- Urban 38,080 7.0 38.6 10
East of England 359,110 9.3 - 8
- Rural 144,100 12.1 40.1 6 12.0 12.1 12.5
9.4 9.3 8.3
- Urban 215,010 8.0 59.9 4 7.0 8.0 7.3
England 2,954,990 8.3 - 2
- Rural 841,930 12.5 28.5 0
Ea s t of England
Engl and
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Urba n
- Urba n
- Urba n
New Anglia LEP
- Urban 2,113,060 7.3 71.5
Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

7. Employment and occupations in rural New Anglia LEP 7
What are the main occupations and industry sectors for residents Industry of employment Rural Urban
N % N %
in rural New Anglia LEP? Agriculture, hunting and forestry 18,700 5.8 4,610 1.3
The tables and charts on this page compare occupational group (people aged Fishing 220 0.1 150 0.0
16 to 74 in employment by their occupation4) and industry of employment (key Mining and quarrying 1,180 0.4 1,560 0.4
sectors of employment) for employed residents across rural and urban areas in Manufacturing 47,210 14.6 55,350 15.9
New Anglia LEP. Electricity, gas and water supply 2,420 0.7 2,920 0.8
Construction 26,390 8.2 25,380 7.3
 In terms of occupation, people in rural areas in New Anglia LEP are more
Wholesale and retail 53,500 16.5 64,600 18.5
likely to be working in managerial roles than any other occupation, with
Hotels and catering 16,840 5.2 18,610 5.3
15.8% of workers in rural areas working managerial roles. By contrast in
Transport storage and communication 18,440 5.7 28,210 8.1
urban areas, a higher proportion of people are working in elementary
Financial intermediation 11,720 3.6 16,810 4.8
occupations compared with other occupation groups.
Real estate, renting and business activities 33,020 10.2 34,650 9.9
 In terms of industry sector, people in both rural and urban areas in New
Public administration and defence 20,390 6.3 17,150 4.9
Anglia LEP are more likely to be working in 'wholesale and retail' than any
Education 22,010 6.8 21,150 6.1
other employment sector, with 16.5% of people in rural areas and 18.5%
in urban areas working in 'wholesale and retail'. Health and social work 33,870 10.5 38,840 11.1
Occupation group Rural Urban Other employment 17,850 5.5 19,040 5.5
N % N % Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
Managers & senior officials 51,010 15.8 43,820 12.6
Professional occupations 30,550 9.4 30,280 8.7
Associate professional & technical occupations 41,560 12.8 43,130 12.4
Administrative & secretarial occupations 36,440 11.3 43,370 12.4
Skilled trades occupations 50,110 15.5 44,590 12.8
Personal service occupations 23,540 7.3 26,050 7.5
Sales and customer service occupations 20,340 6.3 31,330 9.0
Process, plant & machine operatives 28,740 8.9 35,690 10.2
Elementary occupations 41,520 12.8 50,820 14.6
Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) level 2 coded from census responses.
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

8. Employment and occupations in rural New Anglia LEP 8
Occupations for those in employment in New Anglia LEP Qualification levels of working age adults in New Anglia LEP
18 A l ower % of people in rural a reas A hi gher % of people i n rural areas
% of a dults in employment
16 Rural ha ve no qualifications compared with ha ve degree qualifications compared
14 people in urban areas wi th people in urban a reas
Urban 30
12
10
25
% of people aged 16-74
8 Rural
15.8 15.5 14.6
12.6 12.812.4 12.8 12.8
6 11.312.4 20 Urban
4 9.4 8.7 9.0 8.9 10.2
7.3 7.5 6.3
2 15
0 26
24 21 23 21
10 20
Profes sional
Ma na gers & s enior
s ervi ce occupations
ma chine operatives
Pers onal s ervice
Sa l es and customer
Ski lled trades
technical occupations
occupa tions
occupa tions
Admi nistrative &
El ementary
occupa tions
17
Proces s, plant &
occupa tions
occupa tions 15
s ecretarial
professional &
offi cials
5
As s ociate
8 9 8 8
0
Peopl e with Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4/5 Qua l ification
no qua lifications qua lifications qua lifications qua lifications l evel
qua lifications unknown
Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
How well qualified are working age residents in rural and urban
New Anglia LEP?
The tables and charts below compare qualification levels of working age
people across rural and urban areas in New Anglia LEP.
Rural Urban
Working age residents N % N %
People with no qualifications 97,000 23.7 117,400 25.7
Level 1 qualifications 82,710 20.2 97,020 21.3
Level 2 qualifications 92,030 22.5 97,660 21.4
Level 3 qualifications 33,440 8.2 39,470 8.6
Level 4/5 qualifications 70,550 17.3 70,600 15.5
Qualification level unknown 33,000 8.1 34,270 7.5
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

9. Employment and occupations in rural New Anglia LEP 9
Working age people with no qualifications in New Anglia LEP and rural comparators
How does the proportion of people with no qualifications in rural Loca l ly, the % of people 45% of a l l people
55% of people
wi th no qualifications is wi th no
New Anglia LEP compare with other areas? hi gher i n urban areas
wi th no
qua lifications in New
qua lifications
30 Angl ia LEP l ive in
l i ve in urban
The tables and charts on this page compare the proportion of people of a reas rura l a reas
working age with no qualifications across rural and urban areas in New Anglia 25
LEP, and in rural areas across the region and England as a whole.
No qua lifications (%)
20
 The proportion of people with no qualifications is lower in rural areas in
15
New Anglia LEP compared with urban areas. 97,000 people in rural areas 25.7
24.8 23.7
have no qualifications (24%), compared with 26% in urban areas and 25% 10
in New Anglia LEP as a whole.
 In total, 45.2% of people with no qualifications in New Anglia LEP live in 5
rural areas.
0
 Rural areas in New Anglia LEP have a higher proportion of people with no
Tota l Rura l Urba n
qualifications (24%) compared with the average for rural areas across
England as a whole (20.5%).
The % of people wi th no qualifications is higher The % of people wi th no qualifications is
Number of Proportion of % of all with i n rura l New Anglia LEP than across rural a reas in hi gher i n rural New Anglia LEP than the
people with no people with no no the regi on rura l England average
30
qualifications qualifications qualifications
in the area 25
No qua lifications (%)
New Anglia LEP 214,390 24.8 - 20
- Rural 97,000 23.7 45.2 15
24.8 25.7
- Urban 117,400 25.7 54.8 23.7 21.8 21.0 22.1 23.0 23.6
10 20.5
East of England 714,610 21.8 -
5
- Rural 208,210 21.0 29.1
0
- Urban 506,400 22.1 70.9
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Urba n
- Urba n
- Urba n
Engl and
Ea s t of England
New Anglia LEP
England 6,946,950 23.0 -
- Rural 1,143,590 20.5 16.5
- Urban 5,803,360 23.6 83.5
Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

10. Employment and occupations in rural New Anglia LEP 10
How does the proportion of people with degree level People with degree level qualifications in New Anglia LEP and rural comparators
Loca l ly, the % of people wi th
qualifications in rural New Anglia LEP compare with other areas? degree level qualifications is 50% of people 50% of a l l people
hi gher i n rural areas than urban wi th degree level wi th degree l evel
20
The tables and charts on this page compare levels of degree qualifications a reas qua lifications qua lifications i n
18
across rural and urban areas in New Anglia LEP, and in rural areas across the l i ve in urban New Anglia LEP
16 a reas l i ve in rural areas
region and England as a whole.
Degree qualifications (%)
14
 The proportion of people with degree level qualifications is higher in rural 12
areas in New Anglia LEP compared with urban areas. 70,550 people in 10
rural areas have degree level qualifications (17.3%), compared with 8 16.3 17.3
15.5
15.5% in urban areas and 16.3% in New Anglia LEP as a whole. 6
 In total, 50% of people with degree level qualifications in New Anglia LEP 4
live in rural areas. 2
 Rural areas in New Anglia LEP have a lower proportion of people with 0
degree level qualifications (17.3%) compared with the average for rural Total Rura l Urba n
areas across England as a whole (22.1%).
Number of Proportion of % of all with The % of people wi th degree level The % of people wi th degree level
people with people with degree level qua lifications is l owerin rural New Anglia qua lifications is l ower in rural New Anglia
LEP tha n a cross rural areas in the region LEP tha n the rural England average
degree level degree level qualifications
qualifications qualifications in the area
25
Degree qualifications (%)
New Anglia LEP 141,140 16.3 - 20
- Rural 70,550 17.3 50.0
15
- Urban 70,600 15.5 50.0
21.2 22.1 21.0
East of England 633,510 19.3 - 10 19.3 20.4 18.8
16.3 17.3 15.5
- Rural 201,870 20.4 31.9 5
- Urban 431,640 18.8 68.1
0
England 6,411,210 21.2 -
Engl and
Engl and
New Anglia
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Urba n
- Urba n
- Urba n
Ea s t of
- Rural 1,232,140 22.1 19.2
- Urban 5,179,070 21.0 80.8 LEP
Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
Source: OCSI (2011) Modelled estimates
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

11. Employment and occupations in rural New Anglia LEP 11
People with working from home in New Anglia LEP and rural comparators
Loca l ly, the % of people working 38 % of peopl e 62% of a l l people
How do levels of home working in rural New Anglia LEP compare from home is higher in rural worki ng from worki ng from
14 a reas than urban areas home live in home i n New
with other areas? urba n areas Angl ia LEP l ive in
12 rura l a reas
The tables and charts on this page compare the levels of home working across
rural and urban areas in New Anglia LEP, and in rural areas across the region 10
Home working (%)
and England as a whole. 8
 The proportion of people working from home is higher in rural areas in 6
13.1
New Anglia LEP compared with urban areas, with 42,460 people in rural 10.3
4
areas working from home (13.1%), compared with 7.6% in urban areas 7.6
and 10.3% in New Anglia LEP as a whole. 2
 In total, 62% of people working from home in New Anglia LEP live in rural
0
areas.
Tota l Rura l Urba n
 Rural areas in New Anglia LEP have a similar proportion of people
working from home (13.1%) compared with the average for rural areas
across England as a whole (13.7%). The % of people working from home is The % of people working from home is
s imilar a cross rural areas in New Anglia s imilar across rural areas in New Anglia
Number of people Proportion of % of all home LEP a nd rura l a reas a cross the region LEP a nd the rural England average
working from home people working workers in the area 16
14
Home working (%)
from home
12
New Anglia LEP 68,960 10.3 - 10
8
- Rural 42,460 13.1 61.6 13.1 13.7
6 12.5
10.3 9.4
- Urban 26,520 7.6 38.4 4 7.6 8.1 9.2 8.0
East of England 243,490 9.4 -
2
0
- Rural 99,590 12.5 40.9
Engl and
Engl and
New Anglia
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Urba n
- Urba n
- Urba n
Ea s t of
- Urban 143,900 8.1 59.1
LEP
England 2,055,220 9.2 -
- Rural 605,920 13.7 29.5
- Urban 1,449,300 8.0 70.5
Source: OCSI (2011), Census 2001
Source: OCSI (2011), Census 2001
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

12. Employment and occupations in rural New Anglia LEP 12
How do average household incomes in rural New Anglia LEP Average household income in rural and urban New Anglia LEP
compare with other areas? Loca l ly, a verage household
i ncome is higher i n rural areas
tha n urban areas
The tables and charts on this page compare the average household income
Avera ge weekly household income (£)
700
across rural and urban areas in New Anglia LEP, and in rural areas across the 600
region and England as a whole.
500
 The average household income is higher in rural areas in New Anglia LEP
400
compared with urban areas, with an average household income of £657 in
£657
rural areas, compared with £599 in urban areas and £627 in New Anglia 300 £627 £599
LEP as a whole. 200
 Rural areas in New Anglia LEP have a lower average household income
(£657) compared with the average for rural areas across England as a 100
whole (£712). 0
Tota l Rura l Urba n
Average weekly Average houseprice to
household income annual earnings ratio
New Anglia LEP £627 3.3 The a verage household income is l ower in The a verage household income is l ower
rura l New Anglia LEP tha n across rural i n rura l New Anglia LEP than across rural
- Rural £657 3.2 a reas i n England
a reas i n the region
- Urban £599 3.4
Avera ge weekly household income (£)
800
East of England £703 3.8 700
- Rural £735 3.5 600
500
- Urban £689 3.9
400 £735
England £673 3.5 £657 £703 £689 £673 £712 £663
300 £627 £599
- Rural £712 3.7 200
100
- Urban £663 3.5 0
Source: OCSI (2011), Modelled estimates
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Urba n
Ea s t of England
- Urba n
- Urba n
Engl and
New Anglia LEP
Source: OCSI (2011), Modelled estimates
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

13. Employment and occupations in rural New Anglia LEP 13
How does housing affordability in rural New Anglia LEP compare
Housing affordability in New Anglia LEP and rural comparators
with other areas?
Loca l ly, the ra tio of houseprices to
The tables and charts on this page compare housing affordability across rural ea rnings is higher i n urban areas than rural
and urban areas in New Anglia LEP, and in rural areas across the region and a reas
Medi an houseprice to annual earnings ra tio
4.0
England as a whole.
3.5
 Housing is more affordable in rural areas in New Anglia LEP compared 3.0
with urban areas, with the average houseprice 3.2 times the average 2.5
annual household earnings in rural areas, compared with 3.4 in urban 2.0
areas and 3.3 in New Anglia LEP as a whole. 3.3 3.2 3.4
1.5
 Rural areas in New Anglia LEP have a lower ratio of average house prices
1.0
to average earnings (3.2) compared with the average for rural areas
across England as a whole (3.7). 0.5
0.0
Tota l Rura l Urba n
The ra tio of houseprices to earnings is The % ra tio of houseprices to earnings
l ower in rural New Anglia LEP tha n i s l ower in rural New Anglia LEP than
a cros s rural areas in the region a cros s rural areas in England
Medi an houseprice to annual earnings ra tio
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0 3.8 3.9 3.7
3.3 3.2 3.4 3.5 3.5 3.5
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Ea s t of England
Engl and
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Rura l
- Urba n
- Urba n
- Urba n
New Anglia LEP
Source: OCSI (2011), Modelled estimates
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011

14. Businesses in rural New Anglia LEP 14
3 Businesses in rural New Anglia LEP
 Growing and declining sectors: Finance, Health, Construction, Post and
The local picture Telecommunications, Property and business services and Agriculture
This section highlights the profile of the types of businesses operating in rural have overall sustained the greatest growth since 2005. Mining/quarrying
New Anglia LEP, including the number, type and size of local business units, and utilities, Manufacturing and Education have experienced the greatest
and levels of small and large businesses: decline for the same period.
 Startups: The sectors with the greatest count of business start ups in rural
 How do businesses vary by size and sector in New Anglia LEP? areas were Legal, accountancy, business consultancy and other business
 How do micro-business levels in rural New Anglia LEP compare with other activities (including research and development), Personal and community
areas? service activities and Construction.
 How do large business levels in rural New Anglia LEP compare with other
areas?
See the “Useful datasets” box below and Appendix A for details of the data. Useful datasets on businesses in local rural areas
Reasonably up-to-date information on businesses for local rural areas is available
The national context through the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR), a database of businesses
that are registered for VAT and/or operating a PAYE scheme. Data from the IDBR is
Nationally, rural analysis from the State of the Countryside 5 identifies:
published for local authorities by urban and rural areas, and also for small areas such
 Greater levels of micro-business: 88% of businesses (registered for VAT as MSOAs.
and/or PAYE) in rural areas employ less than 10 people, compared to
Local business units by size
81% in urban areas. Since 2005, there has been an 8% increase in micro-
businesses in rural areas (6% increase in urban areas). This dataset provides a count of VAT-registered local business units taken from the
 Largest sectors: The three sectors with the largest numbers of rural IDBR and grouped into four employment size bands (0-4, 5-9, 10-19 and 20+ paid
businesses are: Property and business services (150,000 businesses employees). For more information see http://www.data4nr.net/resources/365.
nationally), Agriculture (92,000) and Construction (62,000). The three Local business units by broad industry group
largest employers in rural areas are: Property, Manufacturing and Public
administration and other services. Again taken from the IDBR database, this shows numbers of local businesses under 16
 Business stability: The highest proportions of businesses trading for 10 broad industry groups. The groups are derived from the Standard Industrial
years or greater are in the most rural areas. In contrast the highest Classification (UKSIC 2003). For more information see
proportions of those businesses that have been trading for less than two http://www.data4nr.net/resources/364.
years are in urban areas.
5 Commission for Rural Communities (2010). State of the Countryside 2010. Available
from http://ruralcommunities.gov.uk/2010/07/06/state-of-the-countryside-2010/.
The rural economy in New Anglia LEP. ©ACRE/RCAN/OCSI 2011