Rural living comes at a higher price

The cost of living in rural areas has been rising almost twice as fast as in the UK as a whole, a new study revealed today.

An analysis of spending on items including fuel, electricity, food and drink showed that 'rural inflation' increased by 7.7 per cent over the past year – compared to the national average of 4.3 per cent.

The report, by rural insurer NFU Mutual, said increased prices had a bigger impact on rural areas.

The difference means that people living in the countryside pay £2,000 a year more for goods and services than the national average.

People living in Shropshire said although there were many advantages to their lifestyles in the countryside, things are getting tougher

Wendy Unwin, who lives in Rhydycroesau, near Oswestry, said: "If you live off the beaten track it is expensive.

"My mother-in-law has to pay extra to get her oil delivered to her house on top of normal delivery charges because her property is in the country.

"It is also expensive with the fuel costs when you consider driving in and out to Oswestry every day to work.

"It is hard in the country, but it is beautiful at the same time."

Councillor Ron Lucas, who lives in Betton, near Market Drayton, and is chairman of Norton-in-Hales Parish Council, said: "All the parishioners have to travel into Market Drayton or other local towns for services.

"People choose to live in the country for the delights that living in rural areas brings, but this can often come at a price."

Oliver Cartwright, NFU West Midlands spokesman, said: "We must remember that prices are going up for everyone.

"But the fact costs are going up almost twice as fast in rural areas has a real impact on doing business in the countryside."

Richard Percy, chairman of NFU Mutual, added: "Our findings show that, on the whole, people living in the countryside have a better quality of life than their urban counterparts, but that costs associated with this are becoming increasingly difficult to bear for families on lower incomes."

The NFU?Mutual study was based on a survey of 1,300 people living in rural areas.

By James Pugh