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Rural living problems 'ignored' Poverty 'blights 1m rural homes'
(about 1 hour later)
Little has been done to address rural problems in England which have been highlighted for years, says a report. Almost one million households in rural England live in poverty, a study says.
The Rural Services Network, made up of service providers such as local councils, says problems include lack of affordable homes and public transport. The report, by the government's rural advocate, Stuart Burgess, says many people living and working in the countryside have prosperous lifestyles.
Many rural communities are therefore unable to deliver a safe, prosperous and healthy quality of life, it says. But the picture is "not so rosy" for more than 928,000 households with incomes below the official poverty line of £16,492, he adds.
Another report says almost one million rural households in England have an income below the official poverty line. It comes as the Rural Services Network warns little has been done to tackle longstanding rural problems.
Planning problems Dr Burgess, who heads the Commission for Rural Communities, said: "Many people who live and work in rural England can enjoy a relatively healthy and prosperous lifestyle.
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 report pointed to the example of the planning system, which it said often discriminated against rural communities trying to build low-cost housing.
A significant number of rural people are unable to share in [a] high quality of life Stuart Burgess,Commission for Rural Communities Problems with rural Britain
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.
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.
"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."
Affordable homesAffordable homes
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.
One of Dr Burgess's recommendations is to promote community land trusts, which ensure properties are affordable for rural workers and do not become second homes.One of Dr Burgess's recommendations is to promote community land trusts, which ensure properties are affordable for rural workers and do not become second homes.
He told BBC News: "No government, whichever colour of the day, is going to interfere dramatically into the market economy. But what we can do is mitigate the problem."He told BBC News: "No government, whichever colour of the day, is going to interfere dramatically into the market economy. But what we can do is mitigate the problem."
READ THE REPORT Tackling Rural Disadvantage [3.0MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE REPORT Tackling Rural Disadvantage [3.0MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
The Rural Services Network, which is made up of service providers such as local councils, says rural problems such as lack of affordable housing and access to public transport have been highlighted for years but little has been done to solve them.
Many rural communities are therefore unable to deliver a safe, prosperous and healthy quality of life, it says.
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 report pointed to the example of the planning system, which it said often discriminated against rural communities trying to build low-cost housing.
We're seeing school closures in some rural areas at the moment, and petrol prices and diesel prices can have a really serious impact on people living in marginal rural areas where they have to travel long distances just to get basic services Tim BonnerCountryside Alliance Problems with rural Britain
It said local planners were restricted by centrally-imposed principles, such as 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.
One rural worker, Cumbrian slate miner Ben Bland, told the BBC that people from outside rural communities buying up properties was a problem.One rural worker, Cumbrian slate miner Ben Bland, told the BBC that people from outside rural communities buying up properties was a problem.
He said: "Most of the cottages and houses were built by the miners that worked here in the past, and built for them to live in. He said: "Most of the cottages and houses were built by the miners that worked here in the past and built for them to live in.
"It's just a pity they are being sold on to outside buyers now, and they're only lived in for six months of the year." "It's just a pity they are being sold on to outside buyers now and they're only lived in for six months of the year."
Tim Bonner, of campaign group the Countryside Alliance, said the government was not listening to the views of people living in the countryside.Tim Bonner, of campaign group the Countryside Alliance, said the government was not listening to the views of people living in the countryside.
"We're seeing school closures in some rural areas at the moment, and petrol prices and diesel prices can have a really serious impact on people living in marginal rural areas where they have to travel long distances just to get basic services," he said."We're seeing school closures in some rural areas at the moment, and petrol prices and diesel prices can have a really serious impact on people living in marginal rural areas where they have to travel long distances just to get basic services," he said.
"And of the course the post office closures which are going on as we speak all over the countryside are having a huge impact on people, and often their ability to access crucial services." "And, of course, the post office closures which are going on as we speak all over the countryside are having a huge impact on people and often their ability to access crucial services."
Do you live in a rural area? Have you been affected by the issues raised in the story? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Do you live in a rural area? Have you been affected by the issues raised in the story? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
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