#deprivation

#deprivation

The forecasts from the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (Icon) show crime rates and unemployment will rise until the next election in England's 613 most deprived neighbourhoods, despite the government's promises to invest in local communities. The report's authors warn the extra money ministers have pumped in is not enough to counteract longer-term trends such as the increase in antisocial behaviour and the problems facing the retail and hospitality sectors.

Top of the indices of multiple deprivation since 2010, Jaywick Sands, once a popular holiday destination for working-class Londoners, has become a emblem of broken Britain, an exemplar of economic neglect, austerity and social breakdown, compounded by geographic isolation. Its local MP, Reform leader Nigel Farage, seemed unusually vague when asked about Jaywick's travails on Thursday. Parts of it, he opined, seemed depressed, adding that he was obviously sad that things aren't improving more quickly.