THE most rural diocese in the Church of England has reacted with disquiet to the latest report on rural poverty.

• State of the Countryside 2008 report
• Analysis: Report reveals the state we're in

{sidebar id=2}The document highlights concerns over the decline in rural services and the challenge of meeting the need for affordable homes in the countryside.

Nick Read, Hereford's chaplain for agriculture and rural affairs, said: "A decade after the reports were first published, there is evidence of the lack of progress that has been made in tackling some of the issues faced by our rural communities.

"The decline in rural services, the acute need for affordable rural housing and the lack of accessible rural transport are all long term trends which make the countryside a difficult place to live for those on low incomes and with little or no private transport."

Figures show poverty is increasing at a faster rate in the countryside than elsewhere and that about a fifth of households now live below the poverty line.

Hereford is England's most rural diocese

In the poorest fifth of homes half the weekly income goes on food, housing, energy, transport and other essentials compared to 39% in the highest income rural households and 47% in the poorest urban households.

The report highlights worries over declining services and says that in each of the last ten years the commission found fewer outlets for many services and increasing problems of access to services for people without cars.

Internet use had risen but the high-speed broadband availability remained low in sparsely populated areas, said Rev Read.

"We remain concerned at the declining infrastructure in our rural areas and the recent threats to Post Offices, schools and doctors surgeries are exacerbating this.

{sidebar id=5}"The huge rise in fuel prices have had a significant effect on rural families who have no choice but to rely on a car."

The report demonstrates that poverty is growing in rural communities at a faster rate than in towns and cities.

Housing affordability continues to be worse in rural areas, it says.

The cost of a rural house is 6.8 times annual household income, compared to 5.8 household income in an urban area.

In some sparsely populated districts, the price of a home can be almost 10 times annual income.

                See also:
                   • Countryside 2008: Poverty gap widens (16 July 2008)
                   • Countryside 2008: Population increases (16 July 2008)
                   • Countryside 2008: Better for business (16 July 2008)
                   • Countryside 2008: A mixed environment (16 July 2008)
                   • Analysis: Report reveals the state we're in (members only)

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