Focus on cost of living and low pay

RURAL: A commission tackling some of the most pressing issues in Yorkshire’s countryside is to focus on the gulf between wages and the cost of living.

The panel of experts is looking at a host of economic and social problems in North Yorkshire and its members want to research the problems faced by workers in tourism and agriculture.

A RURAL commission established to tackle some of the most pressing issues faced by Yorkshire’s countryside communities is set to focus on the gulf between wages and the soaring cost of living.

The independent panel of experts is looking at a host of economic and social problems in North Yorkshire and its members have announced that they are to research the problems specifically faced by workers employed in the tourism and agricultural industries.

Both sectors provide the foundations for North Yorkshire’s economy, but are traditionally lower paid than other professions, meaning many workers struggle to afford to buy a home.

The Rural Commission’s chairman, the Dean of Ripon, John Dobson, said: “We hope to hear ideas and opportunities that will help us address the big issues of retaining and attracting young talent, business diversification, equality of opportunity, skills and training and a broad range of other subjects linked to jobs and the economy.

“I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to send us evidence and to present to the commissioners and to encourage people to grasp this opportunity to help us to support our county’s most rural communities to grow and prosper in the future.”

Average weekly pay in North Yorkshire is below that of Great Britain, although salaries are above the regional average in Yorkshire and Humber.

The weekly wage in North

Yorkshire is £531, while the figure stands at £571 for Great Britain. However, the average weekly pay for Yorkshire and the Humber is £520.

But North Yorkshire remains a property hotspot, with Ryedale and Harrogate deemed to be the least affordable districts in the North of England in which to buy a home. According to the National Housing Federation, a property in the Harrogate district costs an average of £337,349, while in Ryedale the average cost of a home is £257,523.

Agriculture, manufacturing, accommodation and food production are all higher both in terms of productivity and employment in North Yorkshire, while information and communications and financial services are below average.

Tourism, for instance, in the

Scarborough area accounts for 19 per cent of all jobs and 17.4 per cent in Richmondshire, while nationally it stands at 7.6 per cent.

The commission was launched in October, and it has already looked into its first topic, agriculture and the environment.

A wide range of other issues will be researched over the next six months, including transport and digital connectivity as well as education and training.

The commission will present a series of recommendations to North Yorkshire County Council and its partners in the summer.

We hope to hear ideas that will help us address the big issues.

Dean of Ripon, John Dobson, who chairs the Rural Commission.