Deprivation in Hackney

Background: Deprivation studies

The Indices of Deprivation was published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) in June 2004. Measures of deprivation are used by local authorities as a means of allocating funding to targeted areas i.e. those areas identified as being the most disadvantaged and therefore in need of the most help. There were two earlier deprivation studies: the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) in 2000 and the Index of Local Deprivation (ILD) in 1998. In the IMD 2000, Hackney's average ward ranks made it the second most deprived local authority in England. All of Hackney's twenty-three old wards were in the most deprived 10% nationally and seven of those were in the most deprived 3%.

Introduction: Indices of Deprivation 2004

The latest study, the Indices of Deprivation 2004, is based on newly created small areas called lower level Super Output Areas (SOAs). The previous studies in 1998 and 2000 were both based on wards. Hackney has 137 SOAs and each one will contain, on average, 1,500 residents. The advantages of using SOAs is that they are consitent in population size (unlike wards) and are therefore easier to compare. Their smaller geographical sizes also allow for a more detailed knowledge of deprived areas.

The Indices of Deprivation 2004 measures deprivation across the whole of England, and is based on seven 'domains' :

1. Income
2. Employment
3. Health deprivation and disability
4. Education, skills and training
5. Barriers to housing and services
6. Crime and disorder
7. The living environment

For every SOA in England, the level of deprivation is measured by examining set criteria for each of the seven domains. This results in a score for every individual SOA, meaning they can be ranked nationally by how deprived they are.

Summary: Deprivation in Hackney

• In 2004, Hackney's average ranks (based on SOAs) make it the most deprived local authority in England, ahead of Tower Hamlets (2nd), Manchester (3rd), Islington (4th) and Liverpool (5th).
• 89% of Hackney's areas - the highest proportion out of all 354 local authorities in England - are in the top 20% most deprived SOAs nationally.

• One SOA in Chatham ward (Hackney 019B, covering Wyke estate, Marian Court and Bridge House) is in the top 2% most deprived in England. The least deprived SOA in Hackney (but still in the top 40% most deprived nationally) is located in De Beauvoir ward (Hackney 021D, around Ardleigh Road).
• Three SOAs in Hackney are within the top 3% most deprived areas in England: Hackney 019B in Chatham (covering Wyke estate), Hackney 026B in Hoxton (covering St. John's estate) and Hackney 002B, covering the Woodberry Down estate in Brownswood ward.

• The majority of London's deprived SOAs which are in the top 10% most deprived nationally are concentrated in Tower Hamlets (16%), Hackney (14%), Haringey, Islington and Newham (9% each).

Source: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now the DCLG - Department for Communities and Local Government).
© Crown copyright 2004.

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Page updated: 28 Feb 2007