Sustainable Communities

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) publish annual data on progress against national sustainable development indicators. Key findings published in January 2008 for the Northwest of England include:

Active community participation

  • In 2007, 52% of the Northwest population were regular volunteers, compared to the England average of 48%.

 

Crime

  • Whilst recorded burglary and vehicle theft decreased in the Northwest between 1990 and 2007 by 53% and 41% respectively, they still remain above the England and Wales average.The rate for robbery is similar to the national average.
  • Findings from the British Crime Survey noted that the fear of crime was above the England and Wales average.

 

Employment

  • Employment rates have increased since 1992 and in 2007, 72.6 per cent of working age people in the region were employed in (England average 74.4 per cent).
  • The proportion of the working age population who are living in a workless household decreased by 2.2% between 1997 and 2007. At 13.1%, this remains above the national average of 11.8% percent.
  • In 2007 the level of economic inactivity (males and females) was 22.8% in the Northwest, compared to an England average of 21.2%. During the period of 1992 to 2007, male inactivity increased by 3.4% whilst female inactivity decreased by 3.3%.
  • Since 1992, the proportion of young adults not in employment, education or training has decreased by 6%.

 

Poverty

  • The proportion of children living in low-income households decreased between 2003 and 2006 to 31% in the Northwest, compared to an England average of 29% (after accounting for housing costs).
  • In 2006, 19% of pensioners in the region lived in low income households as compared to an England average of 18% (after accounting for housing costs).

 

Health

  • In 2006, life expectancy was 75.8 years for males and 80.3 years for females (England average of 77.3 and 81.6 years respectively).
  • Since 1981, infant mortality has almost halved to 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2006. This still remains above the England average.
  • Clear improvements have been made in tackling circulatory disease, cancer and suicide in the region. Mortality from circulatory disease has decreased but remains above the England average, at 109 deaths per 100,000 people in the Northwest. Deaths due to cancer, were also above the England average at 133 deaths per 100,000 (England average 119).

Further details can be found at:
www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/progress/regional/index.htm