 |
Press Releases
Countryfile poll suggests lack of affordable homes biggest issue for the countryside
|
An opinion poll carried out to mark the 20th anniversary of the 91Èȱ¬'s Countryfile programme suggests that a lack of affordable housing is the single greatest threat facing the future of the countryside over the next 20 years.
Ìý
Much has been heard about this issue in urban areas but this poll now points to the issue being of widespread concern to those in the countryside too.
Ìý
More people are worried about somewhere affordable to live than soaring cost of food or climate change, according to the ICM poll.
Ìý
Two thousand people in urban and rural areas across the country were asked what worried them most from a list of 10 issues drawn up by Countryfile.
Ìý
The greatest number - 26% - said a lack of affordable homes, twice the number who expressed fears about the rising cost of food.
Ìý
The threat to Britain's wildlife and habitats from, for example, intensive farming, over-development and the use of pesticides got just 4% of the vote.
Ìý
And fears about animal disease in the wake of Blue Tongue, Avian Flu Bovine TB and Foot and Mouth – which devastated the countryside in 2001 and cost taxpayers £8bn – came bottom of the list, with just 1%.
Ìý
The details of the survey will be revealed in a special edition of the 91Èȱ¬ One programme on Sunday 27 July 2008.
Ìý
In the special programme, John Craven and fellow presenters Ben Fogle, Michaela Strachan and Adam Henson will mark 20 years of Countryfile.
Ìý
They'll be returning to Swaledale in Yorkshire to catch up on the first stories ever covered – including the shortage of affordable housing!
Ìý
Countryfile is the country's most popular Sunday morning show, regularly attracting more than 2 million viewers.
Ìý
The 1,000th edition is in February 2009. Ìý
The poll was conducted by ICM on behalf of 91Èȱ¬ Countryfile. 2,012 people were interviewed by telephone between 14 and 18 May 2008.
Ìý
| Poll results |
| Position |
Issue |
Total % |
Urban % |
Rural % |
| 1 |
Lack of affordable housing |
26 |
26 |
25 |
| 2 |
The effects of climate change |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| 3 |
The need for renewable energy |
14 |
14 |
14 |
| 4 |
The cost of producing food |
13 |
13 |
16 |
| 5 |
Over-development in the countryside |
10 |
9 |
12 |
| 6 |
Loss of rural services |
6 |
5 |
7 |
| 7 |
Threat to wildlife and habitat |
4 |
3 |
5 |
| 8 |
Animal welfare |
2 |
2 |
1 |
| 9 |
State of the sea |
2 |
2 |
1 |
| 10 |
Animal disease |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Front Desk
Ìý
|
Printable version