These statistics should not be compared to the Indices of Multiple Deprivation in England statistics.
The IMD is an area-based index of deprivation whereas the census deprivation statistics are at a household level. The IMD remains the primary indicator to measure deprivation as it uses a much larger basket of indicators across broader themes. The next IMD release is expected in September 2023.
This release is insightful, but we do not recommend that the Census deprivation data is relied upon for policy setting purposes. But could help target delivery in our services.
For example, the household deprivation measure has some significant limitations.
One of the primary drivers of deprivation in Cornwall is low incomes.
This measure does not factor this into its definition at all. Cornwall has historically had good employment levels but has low wages so again this has the potential to mislead. Also, this measure uses “no central heating” as an indicator of deprivation.
Yet it doesn’t consider if households are suffering from fuel poverty for example.
The census has four area’s of deprivation that are compared, based on ONS selected household characteristics. Households were considered to be deprived if they met one or more of the following four dimensions of deprivation:
- Employment: where any member of a household, who is not a full-time student, is either unemployed or long-term sick;
- Education: no person in the household has at least five or more GCSE passes (grade A* to C or grade 4 and above) or equivalent qualifications. As well as no person aged 16 to 18 years is a full-time student;
- Health and Disability: any person in the household has general health that is “bad” or “very bad” or is identified as disabled;
- Housing: the household’s accommodation is either:
- overcrowded, with an occupancy rating of negative 1 or less. (This implies that it has one fewer room or bedroom required for the number of occupants)
or - in a shared dwelling
or - has no central heating
- overcrowded, with an occupancy rating of negative 1 or less. (This implies that it has one fewer room or bedroom required for the number of occupants)
In Cornwall..
The proportion of households deprived in Cornwall has fallen by 5.93% since the last census. This mirrors the fall seen in England and Wales average over the same period.
All areas of Cornwall saw an improvement in the number of households deprived by one of more dimensions (as outlined above). Yet, Cornwall still has a significant number of areas where over 60^ of households are deprived in at least 1 of those dimensions.
Analysis at smaller geographies reveals unseen pockets of household deprivation in Cornwall. It is therefore important to not just focus on the headline figures for the local authority. This is because difficulties at an individual household level are hidden within this data.
This briefing will be accompanied by our Demographic analysis very soon.
Here is the ONS general briefing on Demography and Migration.