Living costs in rural areas are significantly higher

LIVING costs for couples, ageing citizens and single parents are significantly higher in rural areas compared with urban locations, because of higher food and transport prices, according to a report.

Households in rural Ireland spend up to €108.61 more a week than urban households in order to have a minimum standard of living, the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice research found.

St Vincent de Paul vice-president John Monaghan yesterday warned that the stark situation for households living close or even below the poverty line would be worsened by any welfare or other cuts in the budget.