Deprivation in East Sussex Indices of Deprivation 2007 The new Indices of Deprivation 2007 (ID 2007) have recently been released by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). They update the previous indices which were published in 2004. The indices are used widely to analyse patterns of deprivation and to identify areas that would benefit from special initiatives or programmes. They are also an important tool in determining eligibility for specific funding streams. This note highlights some key findings for East Sussex and gives details of how to access more detailed information on East Sussex in Figures. Key findings for East Sussex Problems of multiple deprivation appear to have increased in all parts of East Sussex since 2004. Nearly 80% of the super output areas (SOAs) in East Sussex have a worse ranking for multiple deprivation in 2007 than they did in 2004. In East Sussex, 15 SOAs out of a total of 327 are within the 10% most deprived SOAs in England. This represents nearly 5% of the county s SOAs and is two more than in 2004. Fourteen of these 15 most deprived SOAs are in Hastings; the other one is in Eastbourne. Nearly 67,000 of the county s residents are income deprived while just under 25,000 experience employment deprivation. Change in levels of multiple deprivation since 2004 Every local district in East Sussex has declined in its national ranking. Lewes and Rother have both dropped by 25 places, Wealden by 23 places, Eastbourne by 13 places and Hastings by 7 places. In East Sussex, there are now 2 more SOAs within the most deprived 10% nationally and 6 more in the most deprived 20% than there were in 2004. National ranking (out of 354 LAs) Number of SOAs in worst 10% nationally Number of SOAs in worst 20% nationally SOAs with a worse ranking in 2007 2007 2004 2007 2004 2007 2004 Number Percent Eastbourne 104 117 1 1 8 6 49 83% Hastings 31 38 14 12 21 20 28 53% Lewes 218 243 - - - - 52 84% Rother 166 191 - - 3 1 45 78% Wealden 284 307 - - 1-81 85% East Sussex 94 101 15 13 33 27 255 78% Of the 327 SOAs in East Sussex, 255 (78%) have a worse deprivation ranking in 2007 than in 2004. Whilst the extent and levels of deprivation remain greatest in Hastings, the proportion of SOAs with a worse ranking in 2007 is lower in Hastings than in any other district in East Sussex.
East Sussex and the national picture Nationally, East Sussex s ranking dropped from the 11th to the 7th most deprived county in England out of 34 counties (excluding unitaries). The counties which rank 1 to 6 are Durham, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Lancashire, Cumbria, Northumberland and Nottinghamshire respectively. Of all the counties in England, East Sussex has experienced the greatest fall in its ranking. East Sussex and the regional picture East Sussex has the highest levels of deprivation of all the counties in the South East. In East Sussex, 5% of SOAs are in the most deprived 10% nationally, compared to just 2% for the South East as a whole. Similarly, 10% of the East Sussex SOAs are in the most deprived 20% nationally, compared to 6% in the South East. Of the 95 SOAs in the South East ranked in the most deprived 10%, more than one in seven is located in Hastings. Across the greater South East, it appears that southern and eastern counties have fared worst over the last 3 years, with Essex, Kent and West Sussex also falling in the national rankings. Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007 SOAs in East Sussex Deciles of IMD (England) 100019601, 2007 District boundary
Multiple deprivation in Hastings Hastings national rank has declined from 38 in 2004 to 31 today - moving it from amongst the 20% most deprived local authority areas in England to the 10% most deprived category. Hastings remains the most deprived local authority area in the region. Hastings SOAs that are in the most deprived 10% nationally are most concentrated in Central St. Leonards, Castle and Gensing, but also affect 5 other wards in the borough. The most deprived SOA in the county is in Baird ward. Just over one quarter of SOAs (26%) in Hastings fall within the 10% most deprived category and almost 40% fall in the most deprived 20%. Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007 SOAs in Hastings Deciles of IMD 2007 (England) 100019601, 2007 Poverty affecting children The child poverty index or the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) measures the proportion of children aged 0-15 years that are living in income-deprived households. This includes households in receipt of income support or tax credits. Although in relative terms, child poverty in East Sussex appears to be improving, the actual number of children living in low-income households has risen by over 800 to more than 17,000. Nearly one-in-five children (19%) in East Sussex live in low-income households. While almost 30% of children in Hastings live in low-income households, their number has actually decreased since 2004.
Ten of the county s SOAs are ranked within the 10% most deprived nationally for child poverty. This is 3 fewer than in 2004. The number of East Sussex SOAs in the worst 20% of areas has also reduced by 3 since 2004, from 38 to 35. Eight of the 10 SOAs with the highest levels of child poverty in East Sussex are in Hastings (in Baird, Tressell, Central St. Leonards, Gensing, Hollington and Ore); the other 2 are both in Sidley ward in Bexhill. Some of the worst affected areas for child poverty in 2004 have, however, seen some improvement over the past three years. Six of the county s SOAs that were previously amongst the 10% worst affected areas nationally for child poverty now come into the 20% most deprived category. Four of these six SOAs are in Hastings (in Hollington, Castle and Gensing wards). Poverty affecting children in 2007 SOAs in East Sussex Deciles of IDACI (England) 100019601, 2007. District boundary Poverty affecting older people The older people poverty index or Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index (IDAOPI) measures the proportion of people aged 60 years and over who are in receipt of means-tested benefits (including their partners if also aged 60+). There are approximately 18,000 older people living in low-income households in East Sussex. The proportion of older people living in low-income households in East Sussex has increased from just under 11% in 2004 to nearly 14% today. In Hastings, more than one-in-five older people live in low-income households. Seven SOAs in East Sussex are amongst the 10% most deprived nationally, compared to just 3 in 2004.
Poverty affecting older people in 2007 SOAs in East Sussex Deciles of IDAOPI (England) 100019601, 2007. District boundary How deprivation is measured As in 2004, the ID 2007 measure deprivation at small-area level for super output areas (SOAs). These are areas that have been defined solely for statistical purposes. They are smaller than local authority wards and typically contain around 1,500 people. There are 327 SOAs in East Sussex and just under 32,500 in England. The ID 2007 measure seven different aspects (or domains ) of deprivation that cover a range of key economic, social and living environment issues. These domains relate to: income deprivation employment deprivation health deprivation and disability education skills and training deprivation barriers to housing and services living environment deprivation crime. The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007 combines the scores from each of these seven separate domains to give an overall single multiple deprivation score for every SOA. Summary results for local authority areas are based on the scores and rankings for each SOA in their area. The ID 2007 also presents two supplementary indices measuring income deprivation amongst children and older people the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) and the Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index (IDAOPI). They measure the proportion of residents aged 0-15 or 60+ who are dependent on means-tested benefits support.
The ID 2007 are based on the same approach, structure and methodology used to create the previous 2004 Indices. Most of the indicators used to create the ID 2007 are based on data for 2005. However, some of the indicators are based on average data for a number of years (e.g. 2003-2005) and a small number are still based on 2001 Census data. Although the new indices update and are generally compatible with the ID 2004, both indices only provide relative measures of deprivation with the score for any one area being affected by the scores for every other area. It is therefore impossible to tell whether any change in score between 2004 and 2007 is due to a real change in the level of deprivation in an area or whether it is due to the scores of other areas going up or down. More details can be found in a summary description of The English Indices of Deprivation 2007 that has been published by the DCLG and is available at http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/neighbourhoodrenewal/deprivation/deprivation07/ DCLG has also published a guidance note on Using the English Indices Deprivation 2007 (which can be downloaded from the same address) and will be publishing a full report in Spring 2008. Deprivation information on East Sussex in Figures We have published comprehensive information on the ID 2007 results for East Sussex on East Sussex in Figures (ESiF). Under the Deprivation folder in the Tables, charts and maps section of ESiF, this includes: detailed results for the IMD 2007 and the seven associated deprivation domains information on the results for the various sub-domains that relate to the main deprivation domains for education, skills and training, the living environment and barriers to housing and services detailed results for the two poverty indexes relating to children and to older people summary results at county and district level (based on the SOA scores and rankings for each area). We have also produced a large number of high quality maps for the county and each district that show the national rankings for every SOA in East Sussex to highlight those areas which are worst affected by: multiple deprivation income deprivation affecting children income deprivation affecting older people. These PDF files can be downloaded from the Published maps section of ESiF from the 2007 Indices of Deprivation section under Thematic maps. Further information For further information on the Indices of Deprivation 2007, please contact Tim Stephens in the Transport and Environment Department s Research and Information Team on 01273 481619 or email tim.stephens@eastsussex.gov.uk