Private Renter Affordability

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released new data on private rental affordability in England and Wales, revealing that less than 70% of local authorities had a median rent considered “affordable” for the financial year ending March 2023. Private renters in England spent 34.2% of their income on rent, compared to 27.2% in Wales.…

Sourcing data for geo-advocacy

Creating engaging and compelling maps is only possible with reliable, accurate data. Whilst getting started may seem daunting, sourcing data is much easier than you may think. Whether it be enhancing your own data, using publicly available data or doing some research, there is a wealth of data out there ready to be tapped into.…

Polimapper client wins conference award

Polimapper client Postcode Lottery Group has claimed a significant award this conference season. The Edinburgh based company won ‘Best Commercial Stand’ at the Liberal Democrat party conference. Polimapper played its part in the award, providing the key interactive display feature of the stand layout used by Postcode Lottery Group across all three recent party conferences.…

Reported Road Casualties

Over the past decade, road casualties have generally declined, according to data from the Department for Transport. In 2023, there were 1,624 fatalities, marking a 5% decrease from 2022. The number of those killed or seriously injured (KSI) on the roads remained relatively stable, with 29,711 reported in 2023. For all severities, there was a…

Winter Fuel Payments

Data released by the Department for Work and Pensions this week has revealed that the number of Winter Fuel Payments recipients increased by 214,000 from winter 2022/23 to winter 2023/24. Winter Fuel Payments were introduced in 1997 to help pension aged people pay their heating bills, which is annual tax-free payment of between £100 and…

Stop and Search by Ethnicity

Data published by Gov.uk highlights the disparities in stop and search practices across different ethnic groups and regions. In the year ending March 31 2023, there were 529,474 stop and searches conducted in England and Wales, which equates to 8.9 stop and searches for every 1,000 people. This is a significant decrease from 24.8 per…

Cancer Waiting List Targets

The latest data on cancer waiting times published by NHS Digital reveals a troubling trend: many Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are struggling to meet critical targets, leaving patients waiting longer for essential treatments. Cancer Targets by Integrated Care Board In England, there are three key cancer targets: The Faster Diagnosis Standard: 75% of people should…

Child Development and Free School Meals

Data from the Department for Education has highlighted disparities in children’s Early Years development levels. Early Years development is crucial as it lays the foundation for future learning and success. The overall trends for children’s literacy and development at Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) show positive improvements from the year before. Most notably: Good Level…

State of the Nation 2024: A Deep Dive into Social Mobility in the UK

The Social Mobility Commission has released its much-anticipated State of the Nation 2024 report, shedding light on the evolving landscape of social mobility across the UK. This comprehensive report delves into how individuals’ life outcomes—such as income, occupation, housing, education, and wealth—differ from those of their parents.   Enhanced Geographical Reporting This year, the report…