Action Needed to Address Rural Poverty

NFU Cymru has submitted written evidence to the National Assembly's Rural Development Sub-Committee on poverty and deprivation in rural Wales.

Commenting on the Union's submission, NFU Cymru President Dai Davies said, "I'm pleased that the sub-committee has chosen to examine the issue of rural poverty and deprivation. Rural poverty often goes unseen, and the high quality environment and landscape that characterises much of Wales often makes it difficult for those in authority to accept that poverty and deprivation exist at all in rural areas.

"The timing of this enquiry could hardly have been better, with figures published by the Assembly Government only last week showing that incomes in Wales' Less Favoured Areas have fallen by 63% on last year, to stand at £3,000 per annum. Whilst in the lowlands net farm income was shown to have fallen by 24% over the same period to stand at £8,500. Such low incomes are a significant contributory factor to the experience of absolute and relative poverty and deprivation amongst many farmers and their dependents in Wales' countryside."

Mr Davies added, "The increased cost of living relative to income is an issue that affects many in rural Wales, and the problems associated with accessing services that are often few and far between are particularly acute for the elderly and low income households without access to private transport.

"Another major issue is that of affordable rural housing. Intensive external pressures on a limited housing stock, coupled with restrictive planning policies have combined to create a situation in parts of rural Wales where affordable housing to buy or rent is well beyond the means of many people, particularly those seeking to get a first step on the property ladder.

"More attention needs to be paid to the social impact of policies on issues such as the environment, planning and transport, which may be worsening the incidence and experience of poverty and deprivation in rural Wales."