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| Rural living problems 'ignored' | Rural living problems 'ignored' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Little has been done to address rural problems in England which have been highlighted for years, says a report. | Little has been done to address rural problems in England which have been highlighted for years, says a report. |
| The Rural Services Network, made up of service providers such as local councils, says problems include lack of affordable homes and public transport. | |
| Many rural communities are therefore unable to deliver a safe, prosperous and healthy quality of life, it says. | Many rural communities are therefore unable to deliver a safe, prosperous and healthy quality of life, it says. |
| Another report says almost one million rural households in England have an income below the official poverty line. | Another report says almost one million rural households in England have an income below the official poverty line. |
| Planning problems | Planning problems |
| The Rural Services Network says although there has been much talk in recent years of "rural proofing" services - a commitment by the government to ensure policies take account of rural needs - all too often rural policies are tacked on as an afterthought. | The Rural Services Network says although there has been much talk in recent years of "rural proofing" services - a commitment by the government to ensure policies take account of rural needs - all too often rural policies are tacked on as an afterthought. |
| A significant number of rural people are unable to share in [a] high quality of life Stuart BurgessCommission for Rural Communities | A significant number of rural people are unable to share in [a] high quality of life Stuart BurgessCommission for Rural Communities |
| The report pointed to the example of the planning system, which it said often discriminated against rural communities trying to build low-cost housing. | The report pointed to the example of the planning system, which it said often discriminated against rural communities trying to build low-cost housing. |
| It said local planners were restricted by centrally-imposed principles, such the amount of development that must be built on brownfield land or the need for access to public transport. | It said local planners were restricted by centrally-imposed principles, such the amount of development that must be built on brownfield land or the need for access to public transport. |
| Many of the problems highlighted in the report are not new, but the network's concern is that not enough is being done about them. | Many of the problems highlighted in the report are not new, but the network's concern is that not enough is being done about them. |
| 'Not so rosy' | 'Not so rosy' |
| Meanwhile, a report for England from the government's rural advocate, Commission for Rural Communities chairman Stuart Burgess, found that many rural households were below the official poverty line of £16,492 a year. | Meanwhile, a report for England from the government's rural advocate, Commission for Rural Communities chairman Stuart Burgess, found that many rural households were below the official poverty line of £16,492 a year. |
| Dr Burgess said: "Many people who live and work in rural England can enjoy a relatively healthy and prosperous lifestyle. | Dr Burgess said: "Many people who live and work in rural England can enjoy a relatively healthy and prosperous lifestyle. |
| "However, the picture is not so rosy for all. | "However, the picture is not so rosy for all. |
| "A significant number of rural people are unable to share in this high quality of life, with over 928,000 rural households with incomes below the official poverty threshold." | "A significant number of rural people are unable to share in this high quality of life, with over 928,000 rural households with incomes below the official poverty threshold." |
| Dr Burgess said the priorities were providing more affordable housing, strengthening the economy of rural areas, and supporting voluntary and community work. | Dr Burgess said the priorities were providing more affordable housing, strengthening the economy of rural areas, and supporting voluntary and community work. |