West Berkshire Ranked as One of the Least Deprived Areas in England

Strategic Insights -

West Berkshire has emerged as one of the least deprived areas in England, according to recent data released by the Government. The district ranks joint lowest with several other areas, including Reading, Wokingham, Slough, Bracknell Forest, and Windsor and Maidenhead, with no deprived neighborhoods. This ranking is based on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's Index of Multiple Deprivation, which measures deprivation across various factors such as income, employment, education, and living environment. The report highlights the stark contrast between areas like West Berkshire and those like Middlesborough, which tops the list of most deprived areas with 50% of its neighborhoods falling into the most deprived category.

Key Takeaways:

  • West Berkshire is ranked as one of the least deprived areas in England, joint lowest with several other areas.
  • The district has no deprived neighborhoods, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's Index of Multiple Deprivation.
  • The Index ranks all 33,755 neighborhoods in England, with a deprivation score calculated from data on income, employment, education, crime, health, and disability.
  • Middlesborough is the most deprived area, with 50% of its neighborhoods falling into the most deprived category.
  • The report highlights pockets of deprivation surrounded by less deprived places in every region of England.
  • Areas with a history of heavy industry or mining are particularly affected, along with parts of East London and several coastal towns.
  • The Government's Pride in Place funding, offering 'overlooked' communities a share of £5bn, was allocated in part based on the deprivation figures from 2019.

Statistics:

  • West Berkshire is ranked joint lowest among 296 local authorities in England.
  • 33,755 neighborhoods in England are ranked by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's Index of Multiple Deprivaation.
  • Middlesborough has 50% of its neighborhoods in the most deprived category.
  • The Index of Multiple Deprivation considers 7 factors: income, employment, education, crime, health and disability, barriers to housing and services, and the living environment.

Sources:

  • Government data
  • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's Index of Multiple Deprivation report
  • 2019 Pride in Place funding announcement