Counting the cost of countryside living
Inflation in countryside areas has also soared twice as fast as the UK as a whole, according to insurers NFU Mutual who have compiled the Countryside Living Index, a new quarterly statistical release.
Looking at items such as food and drink, utility bills and fuel, the data showed that "rural inflation" grew by 7.7 per cent over the past year, compared to the national average of 4.3 per cent.
A basket of 21 goods and services, from milk and bread to electricity and car repairs totalled £5,992 a year for people living in West Berkshire, compared to a UK average of £3,986.
The increase in fuel and oil costs was blamed for the rise, as residents pay more to travel further around the district to pick up their shopping.
A spokesman for NFU Mutual Rural Affairs, Tim Price, said: “For some time there has been concern from our customers that rural communities are being disproportionately hit by rising prices - particularly for heating and transport. The results provide hard evidence that this is indeed the case.
"In many parts of the West Berkshire countryside, these rises are making it particularly hard for many rural dwellers to make ends meet.
A frequent complaint of those living in the more rural areas of the district is the lack of public transport and limited access to broadband internet.
The research showed residents typically had to travel at least twice as far to reach their nearest shops as their urban counterparts – 5.3 miles compared to 2.6 miles.
A lack of broadband reception reduced the chances of internet shopping and the result is that West Berkshire’s car owners spent an average of £30.37 a week on petrol, compared to £20.60 for people who live in towns.
The price of food in rural areas was found to be cost between five and 10 per cent more than in conurbations, with meat, tea and coffee having the biggest difference in price compared to urban areas.
Mr Price said heating the cost of heating oil was another factor - up to four times as much as an urban property served by mains gas.
"While price rises are hitting everyone in the countryside, we think that the elderly and young are bearing the brunt,” he added.
“Many elderly people retire to the countryside in West Berkshire seeking peace and quiet in a friendly attractive environment. However, since the economic down turn began five years ago, returns on savings have fallen but heating and transport costs have rocketed.”
What do you think of the findings? Is the price of living in the countryside worth an extra £2,000 a year?
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