Ministers target 90,000 aspiring entrepreneurs in rural startup scheme

At least 90,000 wannabe business owners will be helped by a new initiative supporting small firms in rural areas, the government has said.

The £20m scheme will provide training to help new entrepreneurs set up companies. Subsidised courses will be available in subjects including including business and management, marketing and information technology.

The training will take place in colleges, village halls, farms and business centres.

Environment secretary Owen Paterson said: "Having the right skills to run a business is crucial if budding entrepreneurs want to be successful. For too long the needs of rural business people have been overlooked. Those days are now over.

"Businesses in the remotest parts of the country will now have access to the best training so they can grow and help our country to compete even more in the global race."