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Country households 'in poverty' Poverty 'blights 1m rural homes'
(about 8 hours later)
Almost one million households in rural England live in poverty, a study says.Almost one million households in rural England live in poverty, a study says.
The report, by the government's rural advocate, Stuart Burgess, says many people living and working in the countryside have prosperous lifestyles. The report, by the government's rural advocate, says many people in the countryside have prosperous lifestyles.
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. But the picture is "not so rosy" for more than 928,000 households with incomes below the official poverty line of £16,492, Stuart Burgess adds.
It comes as the Rural Services Network warns little has been done to tackle longstanding rural problems. It comes as the Rural Services Network calls for action to improve rural life. Ministers say rural areas fare above average on most aspects of deprivation.
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.
"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."
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. However, a spokesman for the Department for Food and Rural Affairs acknowledged that there were disadvantaged individuals living in rural areas.
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 said the government would look closely at Dr Burgess's report and the findings of the Rural Services Network, adding that the government was committed to ensuring all its policies were "rural-proofed" and the implications for the countryside considered.
Dr Burgess, who heads the Commission for Rural Communities, said the priorities for rural communities were providing more affordable housing, strengthening the economy of rural areas and supporting voluntary and community work.
One of his 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. The Rural Services Network, made up of 80 rural local authorities plus 150 other groups, has launched a call for action to support rural England, saying the people who live there are not prepared to be treated as second-class citizens.
Many rural communities are therefore unable to deliver a safe, prosperous and healthy quality of life, it says. In a report, which follows a major public consultation, the body says more affordable housing, training opportunities for young people and financial support to provide care and services for an ageing rural population are vital.
It wants sustainable solutions to the problem of transport in rural areas, where many have no option but to use cars, an end to rural post office closures and the retention of small village schools.
Other demands include government commitments on affordable housing and sustaining balanced and vibrant communities and a review of the planning system to increase the availability of land for homes.
Chief officer Graham Biggs said: "The government has consistently not done enough to protect the needs of those living in rural areas and has broken its pledge that nobody should be disadvantaged because of where they live."
Planning problemsPlanning 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. One rural worker, Cumbrian slate miner Ben Bland, told the BBC people from outside rural communities buying up properties was a problem.
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.
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.
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 BritainNew estate offers hope
"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 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."
 Jim Paice, shadow minister for agriculture and rural affairs, said the government was failing to provide an acceptable standard of services in rural areas.
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: He said: "Centrally prescribed targets for Rural Development Agencies are urban-focused so for them rural affairs is a low priority. This approach is turning our rural wards into some of poorest in the country."
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