Posted on: 4 February 2025

Welcome to the latest edition of Public Data Insights, our monthly summary of the latest data and statistical releases from various government departments and public bodies, all with a focus on sub-national insights.

With a wealth of statistics available from government sources, there are many opportunities to leverage this data to communicate key issues to stakeholders at a local level.

Whether you’re tracking unemployment rates, inflation, or more specialised data releases, this round-up is designed to spotlight some of the most intriguing regional and local-level statistics.

 

National Population Projections

Between mid-2022 and mid-2032, the UK population is projected to increase by 7.3% (4.9 million), mainly due to net migration numbers. This is because estimates of the number of births (6.8 million) are set to equal those of the number of deaths (6.8 million) within the 10 year period. Nonetheless, death rates will most likely outnumber births from 2029, and, from that year onwards, net international migration will become the only source of population growth. 

On a national level, England’s population is projected to grow at higher rates (7.8%) than the population of Wales (5.9%), Scotland (4.4%) and Northern Ireland (2.1%). In all of these countries, the age structure is set to change, with a decrease in the number of children and an increase of numbers within the working age and pensionable age groups. In 2022 there were 1.7 million people aged 85 years and over. By mid-2047, this is projected to have nearly doubled to 3.3 million. 

Next update: TBC

Source: Office for National Statistics 

 

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Statistics

In England, 13.6% of mainstream pupils received Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, which amounts to 1,238,851 pupils. An additional 2.9% received EHC (Education, Health, and Care) support. This is provided to those students with complex cases of Special Educational Needs. 

In January 2025, the House of Commons Library published new data on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in England. The Department for Education reports that the number of pupils receiving SEN support increased by 101,000 in 2024, from the previous year. These numbers are highest in the constituency of Bootle, where SEN support was provided to 20.3% of all pupils. Conversely, in Rushcliffe this value is lower than 7%. In terms of EHC support rates, these are higher in London constituencies, particularly in Poplar and Limehouse (6%), and lower in Midlands constituencies, particularly in Rushcliffe (0.8%).

Next update: TBC

Source: House of Commons Library

 

Employment and Unemployment Rates 

According to the most recent labour market estimates conducted by the Office for National Statistics, 75.4% of people in the United Kingdom were employed between October 2023 and September 2024, whilst 3.7% were unemployed and 21.6% were neither employed nor actively seeking employment. 

The data on labour market estimates for the month of January shows that employment rates are highest in the constituency of Lewisham West and East Dulwich, with 93.4% of its active population employed. Additionally, this is lowest in Birmingham Erdington, with a 48% employment rate and 17.5% unemployment rate. Regarding economic inactivity, 45.5% of individuals in Leeds Central and Headingley were economically inactive, whilst in Streatham and Croydon North this rate is as low as 5%. 

Next update: Updated Quarterly

Source: Office for National Statistics

 

Health Insight Survey

The Health Insight Survey (HIS), which studies satisfaction rates with NHS services across England, reported that 72.9% of recent GP users had a positive experience with GP practice services, whilst 11% had a poor one and 16.1% were neutral regarding their experience. When it comes to dentistry and pharmacy NHS services, registered satisfaction rates were higher. 90.7% of those who had accessed NHS dental services in a recent period were satisfied with their experience, whilst within a pharmacy context this number was 88.9%

On a local level, the NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board registered the highest percentage of satisfaction regarding GP services (80.8%), and the NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board registered the lowest (61.9%). Additionally, satisfaction is lowest regarding dentistry services in the NHS North West London Integrated Care Board, with 76.9% of users surveyed satisfied, and highest regarding pharmacy services in the Integrated Care Board of Mid and South Essex, which registered a satisfaction rate of 92.9%.

Next update: Updated Monthly

Source: Office for National Statistics

Visualisation: Health Insight Survey – Dentistry in England

 

Household Wealth in Great Britain

Between April 2020 and March 2022, the median household wealth (MHW) in Great Britain was £293,700 per household. Within Scotland, Wales and England the wealthiest 10% of households had on average a household wealth of £1,200,500 or more, whilst the poorest 10% of households had a MHW of £16,500 or less. 

The Office for National Statistics has released a new report on Wealth in Great Britain, analysing household wealth rates in Britain through multiple indicators. On a regional level, the South East is the wealthiest region, registering a MHW of £489,800, and the North East is the poorest with a MHW of £179,900. Within this, property wealth made up 40% of all household wealth, followed by private pension wealth (35%), net financial wealth (14%), and physical wealth (10%). 

Next update: TBC

Source: Office for National Statistics