The long-term future of rural areas, including Shropshire, is in jeopardy because so many young people are forced out of the area to find homes, jobs and support, the Government was being told today.

The warning comes from Dr Stuart Burgess, the Government’s rural advocate, who says the key issues which need addressing include the lack of affordable housing and the severe impact of the economic downturn.

He makes the claims in a report which was due to go before the Prime Minister Gordon Brown today.

The report is based on evidence which Dr Burgess has gathered from communities across all parts of rural England about the fears, aspirations, challenges and the needs of people in countryside areas.

In his report, Dr Burgess says: “Wherever I go, I hear deep concerns that challenges with housing, work, transport, training and social exclusion are preventing young people from living in the countryside.

“Without young people to provide a work force, rural economies are unable to fulfil their full potential and rural communities can go into a decline.

“On top of this, lack of broadband and mobile phone coverage in many rural areas is hitting young people and businesses alike, be it through recruitment and employment, better access to learning and support services or enjoying the connectivity that has become an everyday feature of urban youth culture, such as joining a social network or getting internet help with homework.”

At the same time, the Commission for Rural Communities, which Dr Burgess chairs, is due to publish a state of the countryside update.

It sets out the statistical facts of rural life for children and young people, including the current rate of outward migration.

Dr Burgess added: “My clear message is that challenges for rural young people need addressing positively and urgently and that failure to act will put the future viability of our rural communities at risk.

“It is essential to break the cycle of low aspirations and, instead, inspire young people to fulfil their potential and play an active role in our society.

“My personal commitment is to seek ways of increasing the engagement of rural young people with these issues which so clearly affect their futures and find ways of harnessing their enthusiasm and creativity to find imaginative new solutions which will benefit us all.”

By John Kirk