As rural communities continue to grapple with the challenges posed by the rising cost of living, households with children are facing increased hardship. The recent engagement work by Citizens Advice for the government's Child Poverty Strategy highlights the urgent need for a holistic approach to reducing household costs and supporting families in need. For many in rural areas, the escalating costs of essentials like food, housing, and transport are taking a significant toll, exacerbating the challenges of poverty.

A National Challenge with Local Consequences

The rise in household costs is a primary driver of child poverty. Citizens Advice reports that nearly half of families seeking debt advice are in a negative budget, where essential costs far exceed their income. In rural areas, this issue is particularly acute due to the increased costs of transport and limited access to affordable, nutritious food—two key issues that disproportionately affect rural families. Many families find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt and poverty, unable to afford basic necessities like food, rent, and energy.

One of the critical findings from Citizens Advice's roundtable discussions is that households with children are more likely to struggle with essential costs than those without. According to their data, nearly one in four families with children have skipped meals to pay bills, and almost half have used credit to cover basic household expenses. These financial strains are compounded in rural areas, where long distances between homes and supermarkets or essential services, coupled with unreliable public transport, make accessing affordable food and healthcare more difficult.

Rural Transport and Food Deserts

Transport remains one of the most significant barriers to alleviating rural poverty. In many areas, families rely on private cars to access essential services, including food shopping at larger supermarkets, medical appointments, and even work opportunities. However, the escalating cost of running a car, particularly insurance premiums and fuel prices, makes this option increasingly untenable for low-income families. Rural areas with limited or no public transport services exacerbate this issue, as many families have no alternative but to face long journeys at a high financial cost just to meet basic needs.

Food deserts, a term used to describe areas where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited, are a growing concern in rural communities. The closure of local shops and the lack of affordable, healthy food options in smaller towns and villages mean that rural families are often forced to travel long distances to find reasonably priced groceries. This not only increases their transport costs but also limits their ability to purchase nutritious food, contributing to higher levels of food insecurity.

In this context, the government's Child Poverty Strategy must consider the unique challenges faced by rural families, prioritising support for affordable transport options and addressing food deserts. One potential solution could be increasing the availability of mobile food services or providing subsidies for local grocery stores to offer healthier, more affordable food.

Recommendations for Change

Citizens Advice's recommendations for the Child Poverty Strategy focus on reducing household costs and improving access to support. In rural areas, this would mean:

1. Investment in Rural Transport: Expanding affordable public transport options or subsidising travel costs for low-income families would significantly ease the burden of transport costs, enabling families to access essential services and employment opportunities more easily.
2. Addressing Food Deserts: Supporting local food networks, such as community food hubs or mobile food markets, could help bridge the gap in food access in rural areas. Additionally, supermarkets could be incentivised to expand their offerings of affordable, healthy foods in underserved regions.
3. Social Tariffs and Universal Support: Extending social tariff schemes for utilities such as broadband, water, and energy would reduce the financial strain on families in rural areas, where high energy costs and poor broadband connectivity are common. The government should also explore auto-enrolment into these schemes, ensuring that all eligible families benefit from them without having to navigate complex application processes.
4. Holistic Support for Families: The Child Poverty Strategy must focus not just on household costs but also on providing consistent, long-term support for families. This means addressing income inadequacy through welfare reforms, such as uprating the Local Housing Allowance and removing the two-child limit, which disproportionately affects larger families.

The Role of Local Communities

Local initiatives, such as the Schools Advice Project in Stockton, play a crucial role in providing on-the-ground support for families facing poverty. These community-led efforts help families navigate the complex system of benefits and support services, ensuring they have access to the resources they need to survive and thrive. In rural areas, expanding similar initiatives can help ensure that no family is left behind in the fight against child poverty.

By focusing on reducing household costs, increasing access to essential services, and investing in local solutions, the government can make a meaningful impact on child poverty in rural communities. The upcoming Child Poverty Strategy must not overlook the unique challenges faced by these families.

For more information and to see Citizens Advice’s full set of recommendations, please visit the Citizens Advice website HERE.