Austerity ushers in social rifts
Resentment builds among those who perceive themselves as have-nots. Divides can develop between those in private industry or self-employed and the public servants; between those working and those depending on social welfare — or the old rural-urban split can again rear its head.
Introduction of the septic tank inspection system is being interpreted as an anti-rural measure by many.
There has been rural protest at the decision by Bus Éireann to withdraw much of their bus services along the main inter-city roads, and at greater funding cuts for Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) in rural areas.
There are fears in urban areas that the Government may introduce a waste water treatment charge, on top of the general water charges, specifically for people living in urban areas who are served by public sewers.
There are many other examples, on all sides, of cuts which bring financial pressure — and resentment.
Continuing austerity measures will bring more and more allegations of victimisation from different interest groups. Urban and rural paranoia could come to a head when the Government introduces its property charge to replace the temporary household charge.
That’s a long way off, but already some argue that rural property charges should be higher because of the high cost of getting services to rural dwellers, such as phones, electricity, transport etc.
Rural dwellers will reply that they have to pay for their own sewage and other services.
In this context, a new quarterly survey in Britain sheds some light on just how much extra austerity rural dwellers may be likely to bear.
Conducted by the NFU Mutual insurance, pensions and investments firm, the survey revealed that those living in rural areas were generally happier overall and less stressed than their urban counterparts.
Therefore, they may be prepared to tolerate a higher cost of living. And that is exactly what they are doing, according to another survey finding — the average country dweller in Britain spends about £2,000 a year more on essential goods, such as vehicle and domestic fuel, food and home maintenance. He or she spends £5,992 compared to the UK average of £3,986.
The survey also indicated that the cost of living in rural Britain has been rising nearly twice as fast as in urban areas over the past year.
One finding that can be assumed to apply also in rural Ireland is that soaring fuel prices over the last year have adversely affected those living in the countryside who are heavily dependent on personal transport. Not only are fuel prices higher but the typical rural resident has further to travel. Survey findings of higher prices for electricity during the winter, and for items such as pet food and tools may apply equally to town and country. However, the average country house is harder to heat, and lack of access to gas reduces competition in the rural heating market.
The survey found an estimated 5-10% “rural premium” paid for everyday goods — something familiar to anyone in Ireland who shops both in town and country.
Inferior broadband speeds and reception make internet shopping difficult for country people, and they typically have to travel at least twice as far to reach their nearest shops and amenities, often without easy access to public transport.
One significant omission from the British survey was childcare expense — a huge cost for many in Ireland, especially in rural Ireland where such facilities are very scarce.
It would be interesting if a new survey was conducted in Ireland to ascertain the rural cost of living.
In 2010, research by the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice in Ireland indicated that only eight out of 16 rural households could enjoy a minimum essential standard of living, whereas 13 of these 16 household scenarios could meet their physical, psychological, spiritual, and social needs through urban living.
Weekly costs for rural households in their survey were between €70 and €110 higher per week than for urban households.
The VPSJ warned of a recession drain to urban areas, where living is cheaper.
Two years on, austerity could accelerate that drain.
