This section gives an overview of the social and environmental context in Newcastle. It focuses on deprivation in the City; and issues around housing, employment and qualifications.
Summary
- Newcastle is ranked 37th most deprived of 354 local authority areas in the 2007 Indices of Deprivation. It was ranked 20th in 2004.
- According to the 2007 IMD a quarter of Newcastle's Lower Level Super Output Areas (LLSOAs) are in the 10% most deprived nationally. Less people are living in these areas than in 2004 - 66,300 compared to 81,500.
- Over a third of children and young people aged 0-18 years live in the 10% most deprived areas nationally[1]. Over 5% live in the 1% most deprived[2].
- The employment rate in Newcastle is low - only 66.7% compared to 74.4% nationally[3]. This has increased from 64% at the turn of the century.
- 17.9% of the working age population claimed one or more benefit in Fenruary 2008 compared with 14.1% nationally[4].
- On average people in Newcastle earn less than the GB average. This figure has remained similar since 2004 and the gap in average earnings between Newcastle and GB widened between 2002 and 2006[5].
- In 2005/06, 15,300 children lived in out of work families - approximately 30% of all children living in Newcastle compared to a 20% England average. Of these 10,000 live with out of work lone parents - approximately 20% of all children living in Newcastle[6].
- Levels of statutory homelessness have fallen from 1,038 in 2003/4 to 751 in 2006/7[7].
[1] Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007
[2] GP registrations data, Newcastle PCT 2006
[3] NOMIS official labour market statistics (Jan 2007 - December 2007)
[4] DWP benefit claimants - working age client group 2008 at NOMIS
[5] Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, NOMIS, 2002-2006. Note the GB average includes London which will inflate the earnings figures.
[6] Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics, HMRC, 2005/06 and Child Benefit Statistics, HMRC, 2005 (denominator)
[7] Newcastle City Council Homelessness Unit