The Yorkshire Post reports that the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis have compounded issues brought to light in last year’s landmark Rural Commission report

Now, 12 months on, the chairman of the North Yorkshire Rural Taskforce, Richard Flinton, has admitted that a wave of unexpected issues on the global stage has had a profound impact on thousands of people living in isolated communities in the county.

Livestock feed prices have also increased due to the war, causing issues for farmers, Mr. Flinton said. He said: “The rural commission was established to help tackle wide-ranging issues that have long affected the countryside.

A significant amount of progress has been made, but no one could have anticipated the additional challenges that the nation, and in particular countryside communities, are facing.

One of the biggest issues highlighted by the commission was the need to tackle the critical lack of affordable housing in North Yorkshire’s rural communities.

Radical solutions which are being considered in North Yorkshire include a proposed 100 percent premium on the council tax bills for second homeowners, in the hope of freeing up properties for local communities.

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The Yorkshire Post - North Yorkshire rural communities hit by Ukraine war and cost of living, leader warns