A Rising ‘Posh-Poor Divide’: How Prosperity and Deprivation Are Found Cheek by Jowl in Across England.
In a postwar estate known as ‘The Nunny’, inhabitants occupy properties just several yards from their more affluent neighbours in the adjacent Scartho. A six-foot-tall wall physically separates the two areas in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, blocking off roads and walkways that previously connected them.
“It’s the posh-poor divide,” remarked Serenity Colley, 37. “It has been there since I’ve known. I doubt they’ll bring it down because I suspect they’ll want to mix with us.”
A Stark Pattern Across the Country
Analysis of government statistics reveals how deep disparity often exists, sometimes across little more than a few metres of tarmac, a hedge row or a wall. Decades of austerity and underinvestment mean a majority of local authorities now have a neighbourhood ranking as one of the poorest in the nation.
This spread of poverty has coincided with a sharp rise in the number of locations where disadvantaged and affluent people find themselves living side by side. In 2019, just 65 of the most deprived areas adjoined one of the least deprived. This number increased to 119 in the latest data.
A Barrier Which Divides More Than Land
At this Lincolnshire site, the divide is the most pronounced in the country and starkly apparent. The barrier transcends being just a symbolic divide; it creates tangible problems for everyday life.
- School runs that should take 15-20 minutes become an hour-long journey.
- Access to important amenities like grocery stores, schools and employment centres is made more difficult.
- The site can attract vandalism and loitering, with instances of litter being thrown over the wall and related issues.
“People strive to maintain a well-kept home and garden, and then you reside facing that,” noted one resident, gesturing towards the rusted metal wall.
Community Spirit Against a Backdrop of Hardship
Within Centre4, staff emphasise that need transcends addresses. “Where you live is not a reliable indicator of your personal struggles,” explained chief executive Tracey Good.
Regardless of ranking in the most deprived 10% for multiple deprivation indicators, the estate retains a strong sense and feeling of community among its residents. By contrast, the neighbouring area ranks among the least deprived 10% nationally.
A Similar Story: An Estate in Kent
This phenomenon is repeated nationally. The Stanhope estate in Kent, a mid-century housing development, is in the 10% most deprived of areas in the country. It is closely bordered by large houses built in the early 2000s that are in the wealthiest tenth for job prospects and quality of surroundings.
“They might have bigger houses, but here there’s a stronger community,” said Phil Hockley, aged 63. “You’ll probably find a lot of people in the new builds don’t even speak to each other.”
The economic divide is evident: an average three-bedroom house sells for about £275,000 on the estate, while across the divide equivalent homes go for about £410,000.
Residents describe a palpable feeling of neglect. “This part of the community is neglected,” stated holistic health worker Susan. “Over here our amenities have gradually disappeared, and most of the community problems here are related to financial hardship.”
The rise in these ‘deprivation divides’ paints a picture of an ever more divided society, where wealth and need are often awkwardly in close proximity.
