Is Rural England Facing a Future Without Young People? (Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats)

Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats <info@saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk>

Is Rural England Facing a Future Without Young People?

July 19, 2007 5:59 PM

The Lib Dems want to build more lower cost housing so that young people do not have to leave the communities in which they were brought up.

An exodus of young people to the towns is one of the biggest threats to the viability of villages and hamlets in England, a report suggests. The report, "State of the Countryside", from the The Commission for Rural Communities sees cheaper affordable housing, particularly in the social rented sector, as one of the main solution to attract younger people to the countryside.

Cllr David Morson commented "This report shows that ten years of Labour policies have failed rural communities. Many areas have no access to essential services such as GP surgeries, banks and post offices. The government must work to ensure our villages and market towns become sustainable communities. That means building more affordable homes and investing in better services for local people".

Cllr Peter Wilcock, Lib Dem Group Leader added "At the other end of the age spectrum, the number of older people in rural areas is increasing markedly with the net result that the average age is nearly six years higher than in urban areas. This is pointing towards a demographic divide between rural and urban areas and is putting a severe strain on the viability of rural services, such as schools, the provision of youth services, healthcare and housing. There are many people who live without a Post Office within 2 km, or a bank, building society or cashpoint within 4 km.

"We need to do more to cater for young people and address the needs of elderly, like ensuring we maintain all village services. Perhaps we need to have detached Youth workers in each and every settlement in Uttlesford."