Rural poverty

Ben Woolvin
The Politics Show South West

Chocolate box... or poverty trap?

This week has seen the publication of two reports claiming the countryside is disadvantaged by government policies.

The first, from the government's own Countryside Advocate, talked of hidden poverty behind the chocolate box image of the countryside.

The second, from the Rural Services Network, calls for more action to improve the quality of life for people in rural areas.

In January 2008, the Politics Show followed the Rural Advocate on a fact-finding visit to the South West.

Stuart Burgess' job is to represent the countryside and its concerns to the Government.

He was on a two-day tour of Devon in preparation for his report which was published this week.

Rural poor

The report indicates that 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.

Becky feeds the sheep

He points to an exodus of young people from rural areas, claiming there are now 400,000 fewer young people aged 15-29 in the countryside than there were 20 years ago.

Meanwhile, the Rural Services Network, made up of 80 rural local authorities plus 150 other groups, has demanded more support for rural England, saying the people who live there are not prepared to be treated as second-class citizens.

Rural problems

Both reports highlight problems facing rural communities - such as affordable housing, public transport and post office closures - which are familiar to Politics Show viewers in the South West.

Becky Woolacott: what does her rural future hold?

So we will be getting a first-hand perspective of what it is like to be a young person in the countryside from a 19-year-old Devon farmer's daughter, Beckie Woolacott.

And we ask Minister for the South West, Ben Bradshaw, whether or not the government is doing enough to support our rural communities.

The Politics Show wants to hear from you...

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The Politics Show for the South West, with Jon Sopel and Lucie Fisher on Sunday 09 March at 12:00 GMT on BBC One.

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