Michael Wolverson

Community-owned pubs, cafés and restaurants are a proven part of the solution to rising youth unemployment, particularly in rural areas where opportunities are most limited. The call comes as national coverage today highlights growing concern over young people’s access to work. The latest Office for National Statistics figures show nearly [...]

Meet the judges! Meet our panel of judges who will carefully consider the nominations for the 2026 Rural Community Business Awards On Thursday 14 May, our judges will come together to consider the shortlisted entries and select the finalists, who will be revealed at the start [...]

As rising costs and the loss of local services continue to challenge rural and island Scotland, communities are finding practical ways to protect the places that matter most. Plunkett UK has secured a further year of funding from the Scottish Government’s Scottish Rural Network, enabling us to continue supporting rural [...]

Plunkett UK and local campaigners in Cornwall called on the government to provide even stronger support for rural communities during an event at The Eden Project today. Speaking at Anthropy 2026’s session, “How to build happier, healthier and wealthier places”, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP – Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry [...]

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Rural Community Business Awards, sponsored by Lands Improvement, celebrating the best of our community business members across the country. One of the year's most anticipated events for Plunkett UK is back! This year’s Rural Community Business Awards will take place on Thursday [...]