Rural probe chief praises county

Staffordshire has played a major role in a new report which details the realities of life in rural England.

Dr Stuart Burgess, the government's Rural Advocate, spent three days in the county as a guest of Stafford MP David Kidney.

On his Staffordshire visit he was told how the internet was bringing previously unseen opportunities to the economy and how new ventures, such as bio-fuel, needed more support in terms of tax breaks.

"My time in Staffordshire was invaluable and reaffirmed a number of issues that feature prominently in my findings, including the themes of affordable housing, support to farmers and the need for sound education from grass roots level all the way to the top.

"I was also very impressed with the enthusiasm and creativity shown by senior staff and governors at Rodbaston College, particularly their range of initiatives, such as the foundation degree in rural and community policing, their national fencing academy and their work in linking 320 farmers together through Staffordshire Food."

Dr Burgess visited rural areas across England and said he had seen many examples of real community spirit and creative solutions to problems.

"I have also witnessed people in real hardship and struggling to get by.

"There are over 928,000 rural households living below the official government poverty threshold of £16,492 household income per annum."