Plight of the rural jobless

Clearly, the need for investment is strong, but there is a danger that those living in rural communities, where the struggles can be just as serious, are being forgotten by legislators.

As the industries that have traditionally supported rural communities – such as farming, conservation and tourism – come to terms with the economic slump, there are few options left for jobseekers.

In recent years, a rapidly expanding public sector also offered career chances. That, too, is in rapid decline.

The property market remains expensive and with relatively slow movement in the sales office, the cost of renting continues to rise, forcing those on low incomes into poorer standards of accommodation.

In any large city, there are support networks for the unemployed while training schemes and a wide variety of businesses operate within walking distance of thousands of people.

For those looking for work in North Yorkshire, not only are opportunities sparse but rocketing fuel and public transport costs mean many people are trapped, unable to look further afield for work because they cannot afford the travelling costs.

The support networks are not strong, with few charities or public bodies able to afford offices across the whole region. The little funding available is inevitably going to the city region areas.

While this can be understood, those in Government must see the bigger picture.

The pioneering local government scheme, Step Up, which aims to improve basic qualifications and bolster job prospects in sectors like care services, retail and tourism, has shown what can be done. Similar schemes should be supported with public money if David Cameron’s Big Society proves to be more than just a well-meaning election slogan.

The costs of offering training schemes in a few rural centres, or providing subsidised transport to help those find work who otherwise couldn’t afford the journey, would be a drop in the ocean compared to multi-billion pound schemes like Crossrail.