EDEN MP Rory Stewart has linked Cumbria's listing as a 'top ten' place to run a rural business directly to the county's 'superfast broadband revolution'.

Mr Stewart, MP for Penrith and The Border, gave his reaction after Cumbria was placed second after Cheshire in the list compiled by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

He highlighted the CLA’s Business County League Table as an indicator of the importance of superfast broadband and mobile connectivity as a direct positive driver in the local economy, and also praised the CLA’s work on measuring rural development within the context of connectivity.

The CLA looked at the estimated number of rural start-ups per 10,000 people in each county as well as connectivity (that is, the quality and coverage of both fixed line broadband and mobile networks), planning (local planning authorities’ attitudes towards beneficial rural economic development), local skills and innovation, and a survey of how businesses feel about their region.

Cumbria excelled in providing some of the finest research and development facilities and colleges, achieving a maximum score in this category. Locals further boosted the ranking, as the county was the joint best at providing a good relationship between businesses and residents.

Mr Stewart said: “Cumbria really is the top northern destination for rural business, thanks largely to all the hard work of communities, government and the private sector on improving broadband. Of course there is still a long way to go, but it’s absolutely great to see these findings, which link so conclusively the improvement of internet and mobile connectivity to the increase of rural businesses and, in turn, the growth of the rural economy.”