SINePost newsletter - July 2022

In this issue:

1. 2021 Census results
2. Healthy life expectancy at birth
3. Universal Credit claimants
4. Fraction of mortality attributable to particulate air pollution
5. Coroner statistics
6. Private rental market summary statistics
7. Housebuilding statistics
8. Traveller caravan count
9. Greenhouse gas emissions estimates

1. 2021 census results

The first results from the 2021 census have been published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The first release includes rounded population estimates for England and Wales, and are available at Local Authority district level, and can be broken down by sex and age.

The newly released estimates show that Somerset’s population has increased by 41,600 since the 2011 census, to a total of 571,600. This represents an increase of 7.8% in a decade, a rate of growth faster than the national average.

The results also show the ageing nature of Somerset’s population, with the over-65 population increasing by 30,340.

Further analysis can be found on the 2021 Census page. More detailed statistics are expected later this year and will be shared here when available.

2. Healthy life expectancy at birth

The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (OHID) has updated its Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF) with newly available data on healthy life expectancy at birth covering the period 2018-2020. For babies born in Somerset healthy life expectancy is estimated at 62.8 years for males and 65.7 years for females. Both figures are small improvements on the previous figures for 2017-19 and are above the equivalent national figures for England.

Healthy life expectancy shows the years a person can expect to live in good health (rather than with a disability or in poor health).

The PHOF data is available as an interactive tool at:

https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/public-health-outcomes-framework

3. Universal Credit claimants

Latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show the number of individuals receiving jobseekers support through Universal Credit (UC) in Somerset continue to decrease month-on-month. The figure for May 2022 was 8,390, 3.8% lower than the March figure.

The latest figure remains higher that the pre pandemic figure of 7,370 in March 2020 but lower than the peak figure of 16,935 in August 2020.

For the full dataset, see: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/

4. Fraction of mortality attributable to particulate air pollution

5.1% of all mortality in Somerset in 2020 was attributable to particulate air pollution according to latest estimates from DEFRA and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. This is a decrease on the previous year’s figure of 5.8%, and puts Somerset below the regional figure for the South West (5.2%) and the national figure for England (5.6%).

It should be noted that these estimates are calculated using mortality and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) figures from the given year, and the figures for 2020 may therefore be influenced by irregular death rates and lower levels of industrial activity and vehicle miles travelled due to COVID-19 and the associated lockdowns.

The data can be explored further using the Fingertips interactive tool:

https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/public-health-outcomes-framework/

5. Coroner statistics

A total of 2,346 deaths were reported to the coroner in Somerset in 2021, an increase of 7.4% compared to 2020, according to figures published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Nationally there was a 5% decrease in deaths reported to coroners.

A total of 347 inquests were opened in Somerset in 2021, 4.5% more than in 2020. The national figure was up 2.4% compared to 2020. Male deaths accounted for 66% of all inquest conclusions. Industrial disease (86% male) and suicide (76% male) deaths had the highest ratio of males to females amongst coroner conclusions.

For the full dataset, see: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coroners-statistics-2021

6. Private rental market summary statistics

The median monthly rent paid for private housing in Somerset was £700 during 2021/22, according to figures published by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). This was below South West and national median figures (both £795). Within the South West, median rents ranged from £625 in Plymouth to £1,125 in Bristol.

Within Somerset, median monthly rents were highest in Mendip district (£795) and lowest in South Somerset and Sedgemoor (both £675).

In terms of property type, median monthly rents in Somerset in 2021/22 were £437 for a ‘room’ (non-self-contained room with shared facilities), £525 for a one-bedroom property, £695 for a two-bedroom property and £825 for a three-bedroom property.

The VOA advise that comparisons with previous years’ statistics may be unreliable due to an inconsistent survey sample, nevertheless, overall results indicate that median monthly rent in Somerset were only £5 higher in 2021/22 than in 2020/21. This represents an increase of <1% - much lower than the 6% increase seen in the South West region and the 9% increase seen nationally.

Figures do not include Housing Benefit claimants.

For the full dataset, see: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/

7. Housebuilding statistics

The number of new permanent dwellings completed in Somerset increased by 43% in 2020/21, according to figures published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

A total of 2,440 new permanent dwellings were completed during 2021/22, compared to 1,700 dwellings in 2020/21. Of the new homes built in 2021/22, approximately 76% were built through private enterprise, and 24% through housing associations.

Within Somerset, the highest number of completed dwellings was in South Somerset, with 950. Mendip had the lowest number, with 310 new dwellings.

A total of 2,390 new permanent dwellings were started in Somerset in 2021/22, representing a 32% increase on the previous year’s figure.

For further details, see:

www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-house-building(Table 253)

8. Traveller count

The number of traveller caravans located in Somerset decreased marginally to 627 in the latest six-monthly count published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. The latest figure is for January 2022 and is 6% lower than the 668 recorded in January 2020.

At a district level, Mendip accounted for just under half of traveller caravans in Somerset (305), with Sedgemoor (139) and Somerset West & Taunton (137) the next most common locations.

For the full dataset, see: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/traveller-caravan-count-january-2022

9. Greenhouse gas emissions estimates

The rate of carbon dioxide emissions in Somerset continues to fall according to annual estimates from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: 

Overall carbon dioxide emissions in Somerset have steadily decreased from 8.1 tonnes per head of population in 2012 to 5.0 tonnes per person in 2020 (mirroring a national downward trend). 

The latest annual fall of 12.5% is the largest on record and is largely attributable to a significant drop in emissions from transport. This is likely a result of restrictions on travel as a result of COVID-19.

Despite the decrease in 2020, transport remained the highest contributor to total emissions, accounting for 42% of total carbon dioxide emissions. 26% of emissions were related to domestic energy use, and 19% related to industry and commerce. 

For the full dataset, see:

https://www.gov.uk/uk-local-authority-and-regional-greenhouse-gas-emissions

And finally...