FARM NEWS
NFU Mutual calls for more
rural-friendly measures as
countryside optimism grows
Quality of life in rural areas
of the UK rose dramatically
in the second quarter of
2013 as country people
appeared to respond
positively to March’s
budgetary measures. This
has prompted the UK’s
leading rural insurer, NFU
Mutual, to call for a similarly
‘country-friendly’ approach
to the Autumn Statement.
The call comes as NFU Mutual
issues the latest findings of its
Countryside Living Index (CLI),
a quarterly representative study
tracking rural dwellers’ feelings
about issues such as the cost of
living, health, crime, education,
job opportunities and the local
economy.
The survey has revealed that
in the second quarter of 2013
rural perceptions on the state of
the local economy rose by over
10% in the countryside, while in
contrast confidence in the urban
economy fell.
Tim Price, Rural Affairs
Specialist at NFU Mutual, said:
“The recession made life in the
countryside very tough for many
people so it’s great news to see
concerns about the cost of living
easing.
“As the UK’s leading rural
insurer we understand the
particular challenges of running
businesses and working in
the countryside. Over the last
two years we have seen firms
struggle to stay afloat. We think
that many have only managed
to survive thanks to innovative
management combined with
measures such as freezing fuel
duty and support for small and
medium-sized enterprises.
“However, for young people
the lack of rural jobs paying a
living wage and high transport
and housing costs continue to
make it hard for them to live in
the countryside, and we urge
the Government to support
this group to prevent country
homes being affordable only for
second homeowners and city
commuters.”
Overall the CLI recorded a 6%
rise in the perceived quality of
rural life between the first two
quarters of 2013, the biggest
quarterly rise since the survey
began in January 2012.
Coming just weeks after NFU
Mutual’s annual crime survey
revealed the cost of UK rural
crime had fallen nearly 20%, the
CLI also recorded a quarterly
improvement of 3% on levels
of concern about crime in the
countryside.
East Yorkshire Machinery Ltd.
Agricultural Dealers
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Tel & Fax: 01430 650 072
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FarmersMart Oct/Nov 2013
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