Cannock Chase District Council

District Needs Analysis 2012 August 2012

Contents Listing

METHODOLOGY 1

PEOPLE: Active and Healthy Lifestyles 2

Ageing Population 2 Life Expectancy 3 Healthy Life Expectancy 4 Premature Mortality 4 Health Screening 5 Smoking 5 Alcohol 6 Mental Health 6 Obesity 7 Diet/Physical Activity 10 Incapacity Benefit 11

PLACE: Improved Living Environment 15

Environment: Waste & Recycling 15 Living Environment 18 Housing 19 Housing Market 20 Affordable Housing Needs 22 Community Safety 22 Community Safety Perceptions 24

PROSPERITY: Economic Resilience 26

Educational Attainment 26 Disadvantage and School Attainment 30 Post-16 Education 33 Adult Skills Levels 34 Worklessness 37 Job Seekers‟ Allowance 41 Youth Unemployment 43 Employment by Occupation 45 Economic Growth 48

Acknowledgements and Endnotes 50

Charts Sources for Charts given in Endnotes.

Chart A: Prevalence of Obese Children in Cannock Chase, Year 6, 2008-2011

Chart B: Incapacity Benefit: Ward/District/County/Regional and National Averages for November 2011

Chart C: Number of All Recorded Crimes/Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Incidents in Cannock Chase, 2007/08-2010/11

Chart D: Percentage of Respondents who agree that the Police and the Local Council are dealing with ASB and Crime Issues that Matter, April 2011- April 2012

Chart E: Percentage of Pupils Achieving 5+ GCSEs at Grades A*-C including English and Mathematics, 2006/07-2010/11

Chart F: Attainment Levels between FSM and Non-FSM Pupils in Cannock Chase, 2006/07-2010/11

Chart G: Qualification Levels for the Working Age Population, January 2011- December 2011

Chart H: Benefit Claimant Rates, Cannock Chase and Staffordshire, November 2010 and November 2011

Chart I: JSA Claimants: Cannock Chase/Staffordshire 2010-2012

Chart J: Proportion of Residents in Cannock Chase employed in Soc 2010 Major Group 1-3 and 8-9 Occupations, 2010-2012

Key to Charts: Cannock Chase Staffordshire West Midlands England/England & Wales/Great Britain

District Needs Analysis 2012

Methodology:

This report is an assessment of statistical information for Cannock Chase, in order to highlight and illustrate the areas of statistical importance in the District.

By definition, the concise nature of this document means that it is a broad analysis of the most statistically significant issues affecting the District. This means that not all subjects or themes are covered. All of the statistical information included in this document was current at the time of publication in August 2012. However, due to the frequently changing nature of statistical information, this report is not intended to serve as a definitive position statement for the District and it is important to note that some data will have been revised since publication.

The data featured in this report has been drawn from a combination of both local and national sources including those produced by Staffordshire County Council and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). There may be differences between data due to statistics being from varying Staffordshire and national sources and consequent differences in how analysts have aggregated averages from local or national contexts respectively. This can also be due to sources presenting suppressed data scores to protect individual identity.

1

PEOPLE: Active and Healthy Lifestyles

Cannock Chase continues to face a number of health inequalities which have a significant impact on the lifestyles and overall prosperity of the District and its residents. Demographic changes and lifestyle behaviours alongside the social, environmental and economic conditions known as the “wider determinants of health” all have a fundamental impact on individuals‟ life chances and the overall wellbeing of our communities, including effects on factors such as employment, mobility, and access to services.

Ageing Population

The 2011 Census indicates that Cannock Chase has an estimated population of 97,500 – an increase of 5.8% (5,374) on the population as recorded in the 2001 Census (92,126). The total population of Staffordshire is estimated at 848, 500, indicating an increase of 5.2% since 2001.1

Between 2001 and 2010 the number of Staffordshire residents above the age of 65 has increased by 25% (almost 31,000). The number of residents aged over 85 has increased by 39% (over 5000). In contrast, the number of residents aged below 20 has decreased by 3%. Figures indicate that Cannock Chase has seen significant increases in the proportion of the population aged 45-59, 60-74 and particularly 85+ which exceed those recorded at County level.2 This indicates a trend consistent with projections about an ageing population of people aged 65+ that were presented in the 2011 Needs Analysis.

Change in population for Cannock Chase and Staffordshire by broad age band 2001-2011:

0-4 5-14 15-29 30-44 45-59 60-74 75-84 85+ Cannock 1% -9% 8% -8% 11% 29% 14% 57% Chase Staffordshire 0% -11% 6% -12% 3% 28% 17% 39% County

Source: Staffordshire Observatory, „The First Statistical Release of the Census 2011(population and households)‟, http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/census2011/reports

1 Source: Staffordshire Observatory, „The First Statistical Release of the Census 2011 (population and households)‟, http://www.staffordshireobervatory.org.uk/IAS/census2011/reports 2 Ibid. 2

The 2011 Census data shows that Cannock Chase has had the highest increase in the number of residents aged 85+ for all of the Staffordshire Districts since 2001. Such increases in the proportion of the population aged 65+ and particularly 85+ have the potential to make a significant impact on the provision and use of health and care services across the District.3

2011 Census: Percentage Change in Broad Age Band 85+ across the Staffordshire Districts between 2001 and 2011 Ranked by Highest.

Local Authority % Change in Broad Age Band 85+ Cannock Chase 57% South Staffordshire 52% Tamworth 50% Staffordshire Moorlands 47% Lichfield District 40% Staffordshire County 39% Stafford Borough 35% East Staffordshire 29% Newcastle-under-Lyme 26%

Source: Staffordshire Observatory, „The First Statistical Release of the Census 2011(population and households)‟, http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/census2011/reports

Life Expectancy

Life expectancy at birth in Cannock Chase District is lower than the England average. Between 2007 and 2009 life expectancy for both males and females was below the National average for England. For men living in Cannock Chase, life expectancy at birth was 77.2 compared with a Regional average of 77.5 and a National average of 78.3. Females in Cannock Chase had a life expectancy of 80.9 compared with a Regional average of 81.9 and a National average of 82.3 for the same period.4 The Staffordshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for April 2012 indicates that men had a lower life expectancy of fifteen months compared with the England average between 2008 and 2010. Women in the District had a lower life

3 Ibid. 4 Source: „Life Expectancy at Birth‟, Jan 07-Dec 09, Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority), www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk (Data updated February 2011). Data sourced from Office for National Statistics. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+Chase&d=13&e=6&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344935062431&enc=1&dsFamilyId=937 3 expectancy of ten months for the same period.5 Furthermore, the report states that there is a 4.5 year difference between the average life expectancy of a man in Cannock Chase and a woman living in Stafford.6

Data indicates that there are differences in life expectancy between Wards in Cannock Chase.7 Wards with a particularly low life expectancy for men compared with the England average of 78.3 years for 2006-2010 include Cannock East (76.0), Cannock North (75.8), Cannock South (75.6), Hagley (75.9), Hawks Green (76.0), Hednesford North (74.8), Rawnsley (74.8) and Western Springs (75.7). Wards with a particularly low life expectancy for women compared with the England average of 82.3 years for 2006-2010 include Hawks Green (77.3), Heath Hayes East and Wimblebury (79.9) and Rawnsley (76.7).8

Healthy Life Expectancy

Healthy life expectancy is also an issue in Cannock Chase, with males and females both expected to spend significantly more time in ill or poor health compared to Regional and National averages. Healthy life expectancy in Cannock Chase is estimated at 67 years for men and 70 years for women, compared with a National average of 69 years for men and 72 years for women.9

Premature Mortality

Cannock Chase had the second lowest number of females who died as a result of cancer or coronary heart disease, and the second lowest number of males who died of coronary heart disease across the Staffordshire districts in 2010.10 The NHS Health Profile 2012 for the District suggests that the premature mortality rate from heart disease and stroke have fallen to a level which is similar to the England average. This

5 Source: Staffordshire Needs Assessment: The Staffordshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, April 2012 – Staffordshire County Council, NHS North Staffordshire/South Staffordshire PCT. http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/health/PublicHealth/Staffordshire- Needs-Assessment-2012.pdf. See page 8 and Table 2: Life Expectancy in Staffordshire, 2008-2010, page 9. 6 Ibid. See page 8. 7 Source: Public Health Observatories (Department of Health, NHS), Health Profile 2012: Cannock Chase http://www.apho.org.uk/default.aspx?QN=HP_METADATA&AreaID=50569 8 Source: Health and Wellbeing Profile for Cannock Chase District Council: Summary, May 2012, Population Health Intelligence, Staffordshire Public Health. See page 7 and page 14. 9 Ibid. See page 7. 10 Source: Staffordshire Observatory: Deaths – Districts http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=399&geoI d=17&subsetId= 4 is given at a local value of 71.4 which is classed as being close to the England average of 67.3.11 However, early deaths from cancer are at a local value of 124.1 which is classed as being significantly worse than the England average of 110.1.12 Incidence rates of cancer in the District between 2007 and 2009 suggest that the most common forms of the illness are prostate cancer and lung cancer, both of which presented 75 cases annually, followed by breast cancer which presented 65 cases annually.13

The current Health and Wellbeing Profile for Cannock Chase District indicates that Cannock North, Hednesford North, Norton Canes and Cannock East have high levels of overall premature mortality. Norton Canes and Hednesford North also have high levels of premature mortality as a result of cardiovascular disease.14

Health Screening

The Health and Wellbeing Profile for Cannock Chase District suggests that Cannock Chase has higher breast (79%) and cervical (81%) screening coverage rates than the National average, although these are lower than some Staffordshire districts. Coverage for bowel screening in the District is also lower than County average (60%) at 57%.15

Smoking

The rate of smoking related deaths in the District is classed in the NHS Health Profile 2012 for Cannock Chase as being not significantly different from the England average with a local value of 230 compared to the England average of 211. The rates of smoking during pregnancy are also identified as similar to the England average with a local value of 15.4 compared with the England average of 13.7.16

The Cannock Chase District Profile 2012 produced by Staffordshire County Council reports that Cannock Chase had the highest rate of adult smokers in the County at 26% between 2006 and 2008.17 Smoking

11 Source: English Public Health Observatories (Department of Health, NHS), Health Profile 2012: Cannock Chase http://www.apho.org.uk/default.aspx?QN=HP_METADATA&AreaID=50569 12 Ibid. 13 Source: Health and Wellbeing Profile for Cannock Chase District Council: Summary, May 2012, Population Health Intelligence, Staffordshire Public Health. See page 8. 14 Ibid. 15 Ibid. 16 Source: English Public Health Observatories (Department of Health, NHS), Health Profile 2012: Cannock Chase http://www.apho.org.uk/default.aspx?QN=HP_METADATA&AreaID=50569 17 Source: Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase District Profile, 2012. 5 is a major factor in the development of cancer, premature mortality from which in the District remains above the England average.18 The Health and Wellbeing Profile for Cannock Chase District 2012 suggests that 19% of adults aged 18 and over are smokers across Cannock Chase, with smoking varying across the District from between 15% to 34% and being most prevalent among routine and manual groups.19 Figures relating to smoking cessation services in the District suggest that 1580 people accessed such services during 2010/11.20

Alcohol

Alcohol attributable hospital admissions increased by 26% between 2007/08 and 2009/10. This was a larger increase than at County, Regional or National level but only the fourth largest increase across the Staffordshire Districts.21 The rate of alcohol-specific hospital stays for under-18s is reported in the NHS Health Profile 2012 for Cannock Chase as being significantly worse than the England average with a local value of 118.9 compared with the England average of 61.8. However, hospital stays for alcohol related harm for all ages are in line with the national rate with a local value of 1882 compared with the England average of 1895.22 15,800 adults are reported to be consuming alcohol at a risk level with 13,900 adults aged 16 and over participating in binge drinking across the District.23

Mental Health

Statistics relating to Incapacity Benefits/Severe Disablement Allowance Claimants in the District in August 2011 indicate that the largest

18 Ibid; English Public Health Observatories (Department of Health, NHS), Health Profile 2012: Cannock Chase http://www.apho.org.uk/default.aspx?QN=HP_METADATA&AreaID=50569 19 Source: Health and Wellbeing Profile for Cannock Chase District Council: Summary, May 2012, Population Health Intelligence, Staffordshire Public Health. Data sourced from the Integrated Household Survey. See page 11. See also Staffordshire Needs Assessment: The Staffordshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, April 2012 – Staffordshire County Council, NHS North Staffordshire/South Staffordshire PCT. http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/health/PublicHealth/Staffordshire-Needs-Assessment- 2012.pdf. Smoking prevalence is rated in this assessment as 21% across Cannock Chase. 20 Source: Health and Wellbeing Profile for Cannock Chase District Council: Summary, May 2012, Population Health Intelligence, Staffordshire Public Health. See page 11. 21 Source: Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase District Profile, 2012. 22 Source: English Public Health Observatories (Department of Health, NHS), Health Profile 2012: Cannock Chase http://www.apho.org.uk/default.aspx?QN=HP_METADATA&AreaID=50569 See also Cannock Chase LAPE (Local Alcohol Profiles for England) Profile on www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk 23 Source: Health and Wellbeing Profile for Cannock Chase District Council: Summary, May 2012, Population Health Intelligence, Staffordshire Public Health. See page 11. 6 percentage of claimants gave the medical reason for claiming as mental disorder.24 This indicates that mental health problems may be of increasing significance across Cannock Chase. Indeed, the Staffordshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for April 2012 reports that mental health needs in Cannock Chase „are predicted to be higher than the England average‟.25 In August 2011 34% of claimants for Incapacity Benefits/Severe Disablement Allowance gave the medical reason for claiming as mental disorder. This was 10% higher than the next largest medical reason which was musculoskeletal diseases. However, mental disorder claimants for this period were lower than both the Regional average (43%) and the England average (44%).26

Obesity

The issue of obesity remains significant amongst children and adults in the District. The rate of obese adults in Cannock Chase is reported to be significantly worse than the England average of 24.2 with a local value of 29.1 which is close to the England worst at 30.7.27

The 2011 Needs Analysis indicated that in 2008/09 levels of obesity among children at Reception year stage (aged 4-5) were below County, Regional and National average. However, this measure increased sharply in 2009/10 to 12.6% which was above averages at County, Regional and National level. While figures show a marginal reduction to 12.5% in the period 2010/11, levels of obesity among

24 Source: „Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance Claimants‟, August 2011, Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority) www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. (Data updated May 2012). Data sourced from Department of Work and Pensions. Data has been rounded to base 5 to protect small counts. Introduction of ESA has implications for this dataset. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=6&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344936856889&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1359 25 Source: Staffordshire Needs Assessment: The Staffordshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, April 2012 – Staffordshire County Council, NHS North Staffordshire/South Staffordshire PCT. http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/health/PublicHealth/Staffordshire- Needs-Assessment-2012.pdf. See page 53. 26 Source: „Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance Claimants‟, August 2011, Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority) www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. (Data updated May 2012).Data sourced from Department of Work and Pensions. Data has been rounded to base 5 to protect small counts. Introduction of ESA has implications for this dataset. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=6&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344936856889&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1359 27 Source: English Public Health Observatories (Department of Health, NHS), Health Profile 2012: Cannock Chase http://www.apho.org.uk/default.aspx?QN=HP_METADATA&AreaID=50569 7

Reception year stage children in Cannock Chase remain above those at County, Regional and National level.28

Prevalence of Childhood Obesity, Reception Age Children, 2008-2011

Reception 2008/09 Reception Reception 2010/11 2009/10 Cannock Chase 9.4% 12.6% 12.5% Staffordshire 9.9% 9.9% 9.5% West Midlands 10.1% 10.5% 10.1% England and Wales 9.6% 9.8% 9.4%

Source: Staffordshire Observatory: Childhood Obesity, Districts. http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=35 9&geoId=47&subsetId=

In contrast to Reception age, overall obesity levels among children in school Year 6 (aged 10-11) across the District have reduced from 23.1% in 2009/10 to 19.4% in 2010/11 while obesity for this age group at County, Regional and National levels has risen or remained stable during the same period.29

28 Source: Staffordshire Observatory: Childhood Obesity, Districts. The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Lifestyle Statistics / Department of Health Obesity Team NCMP Dataset. http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=359&geoI d=47&subsetId= 29 Ibid. 8

Chart A: Prevalence of Obese Children in Cannock Chase, Year 6, 2008-2011i

Prevalence of Childhood Obesity, Year 6 Age Children, 2008-2011

Year 6 Year 6 Year 6 2010/11 2008/09 2009/10 Cannock Chase 21.7% 23.1% 19.4% Staffordshire 18.6% 17.8% 18.9% West Midlands 19.8% 20.5% 20.5% England and Wales 18.3% 18.7% 19.0%

Source: Staffordshire Observatory: Childhood Obesity, Districts. http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=35 9&geoId=47&subsetId=

Analysis at Ward level indicates that a number of Wards in the District are classed as having a percentage of children that are overweight and obese which is statistically worse than the England average for the period 2006/07 to 2010/11. For Reception age children these Wards are Cannock East (29.6%), Cannock North (28.6%) and Western Springs (29.1%). A number of Wards also have a percentage of Year 6 children classed as overweight and obese which is deemed to be statistically worse than the England average for the same period. These Wards are

9

Cannock East (41.8%), Cannock North (38.6%), Cannock South (40.2%), Hednesford North (38.1%) and Western Springs (38.7%).30

Diet/Physical Activity

The NHS Health Profile 2012 for Cannock Chase indicates that the District has a rate of healthy eating adults which is significantly worse than the England average with a local value of 22.5 compared with an England average of 28.7 and an England worst of 19.3.31 Local health analysis suggests that 23% of adults consume five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day, a rate that is lower than the England average of 29%. Levels of consumption also range from 18% to 29% across the District, highlighting inequalities in healthy eating across Cannock Chase.32

Statistics from the Sport England Active People Survey 5 suggest an increase in the percentage of adults (aged 16 and over) in Cannock Chase who participated in 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity at least once a week during 2010/11. Whilst this rate has fluctuated over the period 2007/08 to 2010/11, the percentage in 2010/11 was at its highest point since 2007/08 at 33.7%.33

Adult Participation in 30 minutes Oct 07- Oct 08- Oct 09- Oct 10- Moderate Intensity Activity per Oct 08 Oct 09 Oct 10 Oct 11 Week Cannock Chase 33.3% 31.1% 33.2% 33.7%

Source: Sport England, Active People Survey 5 http://www.sportengland.org/research/active_people_survey/active_people _survey_51.aspx

Rolling twelve month results for the Sport England Active People Survey 6, April 2011-April 2012, suggest that the percentage of adults participating in sport and active recreation of the equivalent of 30

30 Source: Health and Wellbeing Profile for Cannock Chase District Council: Summary, May 2012, Population Health Intelligence, Staffordshire Public Health. 31 Source: English Public Health Observatories (Department of Health, NHS), Health Profile 2012: Cannock Chase http://www.apho.org.uk/default.aspx?QN=HP_METADATA&AreaID=50569 32 Source: Health and Wellbeing Profile for Cannock Chase District Council: Summary, May 2012, Population Health Intelligence, Staffordshire Public Health. See page 12. 33 Source: Sport England, Active People Survey 5, „1x30 Sports Participation: England, Regions, Counties and Districts‟ http://www.sportengland.org/research/active_people_survey/active_people_survey _51.aspx 10 minutes on 3+ days a week had also increased from 21.2% for the period October 2005/06 to 24.1% for the period April 2010-April 2012.34

Adult Participation in 30 minutes Oct 05- Oct 07- Oct 09- Apr 2010- Moderate Intensity Activity on Oct 06 Oct 09 Oct 11 Apr 12 3+ Days per Week Cannock Chase 21.2% 19.8% 24.0% 24.1%

Source: Sport England, Active People Survey 6 (rolling twelve month results) http://www.sportengland.org/research/active_people_survey/active_people _survey_6/other_sport_results.aspx

However, it should be noted that whilst participation in moderate intensity activity has increased, there is still a significant proportion of the District population who are not participating at the level indicated in the Sport England survey results.

Incapacity Benefit

Figures for November 2011 show that, while levels of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Incapacity Benefit claims have dropped by 0.2% in the District since November 2010 (7.3%) to 7.1%, claimant levels remain above County (5.8%), Regional (6.8%) and National (Great Britain, 6.5%) average.35 Incapacity Benefit Claimant statistics for November 2011 reveal that levels dropped over the 12 months since November 2010 in Cannock North (11.1% from 11.4%), Hednesford North (9.2% from 9.4%), Cannock East (9.6% from 10.0%) and Brereton and Ravenhill (8.1% from 8.7%). However, there has been an increase from 10.8% to 11.1% in claimant levels in Cannock South. Claim levels in these Wards, as well as in Hagley, which recorded a claimant level of 8.4% in November 2010 and November 2011, were above District (7.1%), County (5.8%), Regional (6.8%) and National (Great Britain, 6.5%) rate for November 2011. However, the table below demonstrates that levels in nine Wards across Cannock Chase were below District

34 Source: Sport England, Active People Survey 6 (rolling twelve month results) „Sport and Active Recreation (NI8)‟ http://www.sportengland.org/research/active_people_survey/active_people_survey _6/other_sport_results.aspx 35 Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Out-of-Work Benefits; Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: Out-of-Work Benefits http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx Employment and Support Allowance replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on incapacity grounds for new customers. See Department for Work and Pensions, http://www.dwp.gov.uk/employment-and-support/ 11

average. Five Wards were also below the Staffordshire average rate of 5.8% for November 2011.36

ESA & Incapacity Benefit Claimant Rates, Cannock Chase Wards 2010 and 2011:

Ward Total ESA & IB Total ESA & IB % Change % Above/Below Claimants Nov Claimants Nov 2010-2011 District Rate of 7.1% 2010 2011 in Nov 2011 Brereton and 8.7% 8.1% -0.6% 1% above Ravenhill Cannock East 10.0% 9.6% -0.4% 2.5% above Cannock North 11.4% 11.1% -0.3% 4% above Cannock South 10.8% 11.1% +0.3% 4% above Cannock West 5.4% 5.3% -0.1% 1.8% below Etching Hill and 6.9% 6.7% -0.2% 0.4% below the Heath Hagley 8.4% 8.4% 0% 1.3% above Hawks Green 2.8% 2.6% -0.2% 4.5% below Heath Hayes 5.5% 5.7% +0.2% 1.4% below East & Wimblebury Hednesford 5.0% 4.5% -0.5% 2.6% below Green Heath Hednesford 9.4% 9.2% -0.2% 2.1% above North Hednesford 4.2% 4.2% 0% 2.9% below South Norton Canes 6.7% 6.6% -0.1% 0.5% below Rawnsley 6.4% 6.1% -0.3% 1% below Western Springs 6.6% 6.3% -0.3% 0.8% below Cannock 7.3% 7.1% 0.2% N/A Chase

36 Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Benefit Claimants – Working Age Clients for Small Areas: Statistical Group ESA and Incapacity Benefit Nov 2010/Nov 2011. Data sourced from: ONS Benefit Claimants – Working Age Clients for Small Areas; Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx 12

Chart B: Incapacity Benefit: Ward/District/County/Regional/National Averages for November 2011ii

As of November 2011, Incapacity Benefit continues to be the most prevalent form of benefit claim in the District. Statistics for August 2011 suggest that there were 3240 people resident in Cannock Chase claiming Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance – 3% aged 16-24, 43% aged 25-49, 36% aged 50-59 and 18% over 60.37 The 2011 Needs Analysis suggested that this pointed to a possible “double jeopardy” identified by the IDeA and Coalfield Regeneration Trust in former coal mining areas.38 This concept argues that in such areas the older population suffers from ill health caused by former employment, whilst the younger population is affected by poor employment opportunities and low expectations. However, it is significant when considering this concept to note that while claims for Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance in August 2011were based on a range of physical and mental illnesses, the largest percentage of claims were due to mental disorders (34%). A smaller percentage of claims were based on musculoskeletal diseases (24%) or diseases of the

37 Source: „Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance Claimants‟, Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority) www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. (Data updated May 2012). Data sourced from Department of Work and Pensions. Data has been rounded to base 5 to protect small counts. Introduction of ESA has implications for this dataset. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=6&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344940818143&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1359 38 Source: A Review of Coalfields Regeneration; Coalfields Regeneration Trust, September 2010. 13 respiratory or circulatory system (8%).39 It is therefore important to consider a range of factors when interpreting Incapacity Benefit claims in the District, rather than simply attributing claims to health issues linked to former employment industries.

Medical Reason for Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance, Cannock Chase, August 201140

Medical Reason for Claiming % of Claimants Mental Disorders 34% Diseases of the Nervous System 8% Diseases of the Respiratory or Circulatory System 8% Musculoskeletal Diseases 24% Injury or Poisoning 6% Other 20%

39 Source: „Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance Claimants‟, Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority) www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. (Data updated May 2012). Data sourced from Department of Work and Pensions. Data has been rounded to base 5 to protect small counts. Introduction of ESA has implications for this dataset. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=6&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344940818143&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1359 40 Ibid. 14

PLACE: Improved Living Environment

Cannock Chase District has a unique mix of urban and rural environments, including the three main towns of Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley alongside green space and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The environment in which people in Cannock Chase live and work plays a central role in the District‟s sustainability and quality of life, and is influenced by a range of factors including housing, environmental services and community safety.

Environment: Waste & Recycling

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reported in November 2011 that the proportion of collected waste being recycled, composted or re-used by local authorities in England increased to 40.2% between 2009/10 and 2010/11, continuing the long- term trend.41 The percentage of waste recycled, composted or sent for re-use in Cannock Chase has seen a year-on-year increase between 2008/09 to 2011/12 from 39.7% in 2008/09 to 54% in 2011/2012.42

Residual household waste in the District has decreased per household, as illustrated below:

2008/09 2010/11

571Kg 466.7kg Per Per Household Household

Comparison between local data relating to District rates of household waste recycled, composted and sent for re-use and statistics for England published by DEFRA indicate that Cannock Chase was

41 Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Statistical Release, Local Authority Collected Waste Management Statistics, November 2011. http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/files/mwb201011_statsrelease_v2.pdf 42 Source: Local data from Cannock Chase District Council Environmental Services, July 2012. 15 performing at a rate almost 10% higher (51%) than the national average (41.5%) during 2010/11.

Waste recycled/composted/sent for re-use in Cannock Chase compared with the rate of household waste recycling for England, 2008-2011

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Cannock 39.7% 47% 51% 54% Chase England 37.6% 39.7% 41.5% Currently N/A

Source: Local data from Cannock Chase District Council Environmental Services, July 2012. England statistics from Table 3: Recycling and Recovery Rates 2000/01 to 2010/11, Household Waste Recycling Rate, Local Authority Collected Waste Management, Nov 2011. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/environment/waste/wrfg23-wrmsannual/

Provisional statistics for collected waste management in England for Quarter 3 2011/2012 show a rate of 42.9% for household waste recycled, composted or sent for re-use at England level for the period January to December 2011. Cannock Chase figures for 2011/12 suggest a District rate of 54% which indicates a continued trend of an increase in District recycling/composting/re-use rate which is above the England average.43

43 Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Local Authority Collected Waste Management Statistics for England – Provisional Release of Quarter 3 2011/2012 http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/environment /waste/wrfg22- wrmswqtr/ 16

Rates of Household Waste Recycled, 2010/11

Cannock Chase

Cannock Chase 51%

England 41.5%

Source: Local data from Cannock Chase District Council Environmental Services, July 2012. England statistics from Table 3: Recycling and Recovery Rates 2000/01 to 2010/11, Household Waste Recycling Rate, Local Authority Collected Waste Management, Nov 2011. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/environment/waste/wrfg23-wrmsannual/

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Living Environment

Cannock Chase comprises a mix of urban environments including the three towns of Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford and rural areas incorporating green space. The urban population of the District, which excludes those living in large market towns, comprises 60,988 or approximately 66% of the population based on 2001 Census population data. The rural population, including those living in large market towns, accounts for approximately 34% of the population.44 Analysis of the rural population of the District illustrates how the population is divided between large market town, rural town and village populations:

Urban/Rural Mix in the Cannock Chase Population

Other Urban Large Market Town Rural Town Village Dispersed Total

60,988 22,655 5627 2370 668 92,308*

* Based on Census 2001 Population Estimates.

Source: DEFRA, Rural-urban Classification of LAs: Post 2009 Boundaries, http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/rural/what-is-rural/rural-urban-classification/

In respect of development, the Cannock Chase Local Development Framework Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) May 2012 provides an insight into Brownfield/Greenfield Development Trends in the District. The percentage of developments on previously developed land (Brownfield) as opposed to Greenfield land has fluctuated year on year between 2006/07 and 2010/11, from 78% to 99%.45

44 Source: DEFRA, Rural-urban Classification of LAs: Post 2009 Boundaries, http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/rural/what-is-rural/rural-urban-classification/ 45 Source: Cannock Chase District Council, Cannock Chase Local Development Framework Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), May 2012. Years 2006/07-2009/10 includes garden land within the definition of previously developed land (PDL) as per national planning policy. Following updated national policy in 2010, figures for 2010/11 and 2011/12 exclude residential garden land within the definition. The SHLAA states that the Council will consider the effect of the redefinition of garden land as Greenfield land upon the years prior to 2010/11 but it is not expected that this will have a significant effect upon the overall trends. 18

Percentage of Developments on Previously Developed (Brownfield) Land

2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12

78% 60% 85% 81% 99% 57%

Source: Cannock Chase District Council, Cannock Chase Local Development Framework Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), May 2012.

Figures for 2011/12 show a significant fall to 57% which indicates a relatively high rate of Greenfield development. However, this is attributed in the SHLAA to the development of a single Greenfield site adjacent to Brindley Pumping Station, Rugeley. The report anticipates that, without this site, the percentage of developments on Brownfield land would be in the region of 85%.46

Housing

The 2011 Census indicates that there are 40,700 occupied households in Cannock Chase, a 9.7% (3,598) increase on numbers reported in the 2001 Census (37,102). This is above the 8.3% change rate at County level but below the change rate in Lichfield (9.9%), Stafford Borough (11.3%) and East Staffordshire (10.7%).47 Overall housing requirement for the District is identified as being between 250 and 280 dwellings per annum with approximately three quarters of this provision being made in and around Cannock and Hednesford, and the remaining quarter in Rugeley.48

Housing needs in the District reflect the trend of ageing population demonstrated in the 2011 Census. The table below presents data relating to the overall need for housing in the District to 2028, indicating that the need for housing with care will almost double between 2011 and 2028.49

46 Source: Cannock Chase District Council, Cannock Chase Local Development Framework Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), May 2012. 47 Source: Staffordshire Observatory, „The First Statistical Release of the Census 2011(population and households)‟, http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/census2011/reports 48 Source: Cannock Chase Council, Housing Policy Development Committee, Report of Head of Housing (13/08/12), Southern Staffordshire Districts Housing Needs Study 2012. 49 Ibid. 19

Cannock Chase Type of Property 2011 2028 Difference (%) 1 Bedroom Flat 2049 2883 834 (+41%) 2 Bedroom 18, 367 22, 618 4251 (+23%) Flat/House/Bungalow 3 Bedroom 17,077 14,942 -2, 136 House/Bungalow (-13%) 4 Bedroom House 1,313 1,183 -130 (-10%) Housing with Care 1,211 2,415 1,204 (+99%) Total 40,018 44,041 4023 (+10%)

Source: Cannock Chase Council, Housing Policy Development Committee, Report of Head of Housing (13/08/12), Southern Staffordshire Districts Housing Needs Study 2012.

Housing Market

The average house price in the District at the end of March 2012 was £135,742 which is the lowest average in Staffordshire. This is also below County (£164, 528) and Regional (£167, 537) levels.50 HM Land Registry House Prices indicate that Cannock Chase saw fewer overall sales than other Staffordshire Districts, with the exception of Tamworth, over the Quarter ending March 2012. The table below illustrates that the average price for a detached residential property, a semi-detached house and a flat/maisonette in Cannock Chase was lower than all the Staffordshire Districts.51

50 Source: Cannock Chase Council, Housing Market Assessment, Summer 2012. Average price based on Land Registry Figures. 51 Source: West Midlands Region – HM Land Registry House Prices (Qtr. Ending March 2012)

20

House Prices and House Sales, Staffordshire Districts, Quarter Ending March 2012

Area Average Overall Avg. Price Avg. Price Avg. Price Avg. Price % Annual Price Sales for for Semi- for for Flat/ Change in Detached Detached Terraced Maisonette Property Property Property Property Prices

Cannock £135, 742 176 £186, 914 £114, 090 £114, 572 £82, 721 0.0% Chase

East £157, 871 283 £254, 193 £132, 261 £109, 048 £90, 462 4.4% Staffordshire

Lichfield £194, 401 217 £272, 215 £170, 557 £148, 319 £127, 640 -7.2%

Newcastle- £145, 964 283 £217, 913 £124, 829 £94, 852 £104, 665 -5.6% Under-Lyme

South £193, 905 216 £271, 201 £149, 373 £156, 489 £136, 423 0.9% Staffordshire Stafford £172, 434 306 £238, 933 £142, 398 £126, 123 £97, 031 -0.5%

Staffordshire £161, 846 231 £211, 710 £129, 668 £101, 582 £108, 750 14.3% Moorlands Tamworth £149, 286 159 £218, 702 £137, 946 £107, 133 £103, 529 0.5%

Staffordshire £164, 528 1871 £235, 465 £135, 946 £118, 221 £109, 383 -0.6%

Source: West Midlands Region – HM Land Registry House Prices (Qtr. Ending March 2012)

As the table above indicates, Cannock Chase was the only District in Staffordshire which reported a 0.0% Annual Change in average residential property prices for the quarter ending March 2012.52 However there has been an increase in the number of sales over 2011/12 showing up to a 44% annual change in Quarter 2 and an increase of 19% for the year as a whole.53 The average house price in Cannock Chase has declined by approximately 12% since its peak of c. £150,000 at the beginning of 2008 to a stable level between £135,000 and £140,000. However, analysis of affordability based on average house price and average income across the District suggest an affordable house price of approximately £100,000 which is below the average price of £135, 742 at the end of March 2012.54

The Cannock Chase Council Housing Market Assessment for Summer 2012 suggests that the private rental market in the District „remains relatively buoyant in the light of the economic climate and plays an important role in housing those on lower incomes and would be first

52 Ibid. 53 Source: Cannock Chase Council, Housing Market Assessment, Summer 2012. 54 Ibid. Average household income is based on figures from CACI for 2011. Affordable house price is calculated by using a ratio of three times income to mortgage lending. 21 time buyers‟. However, an annual income of £26,400 would be required for households to access good quality two bedroom rented housing which indicates that a significant proportion of the District population would be unable to access such housing.55

Affordable Housing Needs

Statistics from the Southern Staffordshire Districts Housing Needs Study 2012 suggest that over 50% of existing households in the District are unable to purchase a property with over a third unable to afford market rents. Newly forming households in Cannock Chase face even greater issues of affordability, with almost 80% unable to access market housing as buyers and 63% unable to afford the local market rates for rented accommodation.56 The estimated proportion of households unable to access market housing for purchase or rent indicates that whilst the District has low rent levels, there are a high proportion of households across Cannock Chase whose income falls below the required level.57

Affordable rent analysis indicates that only 17% of households who cannot access market housing would be able to access affordable rented housing at the 80% market rent level. 30% of existing households and 48% newly forming households are unable to afford rent at this level. In addition, 23% of existing households in the District are unable to afford existing social rent, a rate which rises to 37% for newly forming households in Cannock Chase. 63% of households unable to afford market housing would be unable to afford existing social rents without receiving benefits.58

Community Safety

The Cannock Chase District Profile 2012 produced by Staffordshire County Council suggests that the District „is becoming a safer place to live, work and visit‟. The Profile reports that long-term trends are down with reductions in crime and reported ASB incidents from the previous year.59 The Cannock Chase Community Safety Strategic Assessment 2011 reports that „all recorded crime in Cannock Chase has reduced by 4.4% during 2010/11‟.60

55 Source: Cannock Chase Council, Housing Market Assessment, Summer 2012. Average price based on Land Registry Figures. 56 Source: Cannock Chase Council, Housing Policy Development Committee, Report of Head of Housing (13/08/12), Southern Staffordshire Districts Housing Needs Study 2012. 57 Ibid. 58 Ibid. 59 Source: Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase District Profile 2012. 60 Source: Staffordshire Observatory/Chase Community Partnership, Cannock Chase Community Safety Strategic Assessment 2011. 22

The number of incidents of recorded crime in Cannock Chase during 2010/11 was 6,508. This represents a reduction of 4.4% on the previous year and a 12.7% reduction over the past four years.61 The Cannock Chase Community Safety Strategic Assessment 2011 reports that there has been no change in the level of violent crime and the rate per 1,000 population is above County rate.62 The Assessment states that Cannock Chase saw an overall reduction in serious acquisitive crime in 2010/11 by an annual change of -5.2%. However, it also identifies that there has been a 22% increase in the theft of motor vehicles in the District. Shoplifting and other theft has also increased by 11% and 22% respectively. Whilst rates relating to the burglary of dwellings saw a reduction in the same period, this remained 20% above County rate.63

The rate of drug offences in Cannock Chase showed a fall from the 2007/08 rate of 1.96 to 1.89 in 2010/11. This was 21% below the County rate of 2.40 for 2010/11. Levels of acquisitive crime of the category theft of pedal cycle as well as criminal damage of the category arson were also 7% and 22% below County rate for the same period.64

Rates of reported incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in the District have seen a reduction of almost a quarter (24%) on the previous year and 37% over the past four years in 2010/11. Reported incidents of ASB within Cannock Town Centre saw a 43% reduction from 2009/10 alongside a 46% reduction in Rugeley Town Centre that included a 55% reduction in reported incidents of rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour. However, there has been an increase in reported incidents of ASB in the Western Springs area, mainly in terms of rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour.65 The rate of ASB incidents per 1000 population for 2010/11 was 37.9% which remains above the County average of 32.1% for the same period. However, this also indicates an 11.9% decrease in the District rates compared with figures for 2009/10 (49.8%) and a 19.8% fall since 2008/09 (57.5%).66

61 Source: Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase District Profile 2012. 62 Source: Staffordshire Observatory/Chase Community Partnership, Cannock Chase Community Safety Strategic Assessment 2011. 63 Ibid. 64 Ibid. 65 Ibid. 66 Source: Staffordshire Observatory, „Rate of Anti-Social Behaviour Incidents per 1000 Population‟, 2008/09-2010/11 http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=291&geoI d=17&subsetId= 23

Chart C: Number of All Recorded Crimes/Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Incidents in Cannock Chase, 2007/08-2010/11iii

The Community Safety Partnership Strategic Assessment 2011 highlights that Cannock Chase has the highest rate of offenders identified with need in relation to accommodation (22%) and drug misuse (28%) in the County and highlights the importance of focussing on the most vulnerable residents and communities in the District.67

Community Safety Perceptions

Results from Staffordshire Police‟s Feeling the Difference public confidence survey for April 2012 reveal that 96% residents feel satisfied with Cannock Chase as a place to live, a 1% increase on figures from November 2011. This is also 1% above the County rate of 95%. In addition, there has been an increase in the percentage of people who agreed that “the police and local council are dealing with ASB and crime issues that matter”, from 34% in November 2011 to 36% in April 2012. The survey also shows a fall from 16% to 11% in people who felt that the level of ASB had increased between November 2011 and April 2012, resulting in rates in Cannock Chase being closer to the County rate (10% in April 2012).68

67 Source: Staffordshire Observatory/Chase Community Partnership, Cannock Chase Community Safety Strategic Assessment 2011. 68 Source: Feeling the Difference: Our Public Confidence Survey Wave 12 Headline Results and Wave 13 Headline Results: Cannock Chase.

24

However, the Feeling the Difference results indicate decreases in the percentage of residents satisfied with the level of mobile police patrol from 68% in November 2011 to 65% in April 2012, and a reduction in the percentage of people satisfied that they knew how well the police in their area were performing from 8% in November 2011 to 7% in April 2012. In addition, there was an increase in the percentage of people “who felt fearful of being a victim of crime in the last twelve months”, from 13% in November 2011 to 15% in April 2012. This was 4% above the County rate of 11% in April 2012.

It is important to note that there has been an increase in the percentage of people who believe that the police deal with and understand the things that matter to and affect the community from 77% to 81% and 78% to 82% respectively. The District rate for these categories was also above the County rate of 75% and 77% in April 2012. The percentage of residents satisfied with the overall level of service provided by the police also showed an increase from 82% in November 2011 to 85% in April 2012.69

Chart D: Percentage of Respondents who agree that the Police and the Local Council are dealing with ASB and Crime Issues that Matter, April 2011-April 2012.iv

69 Source: Feeling the Difference: Our Public Confidence Survey Wave 12 Headline Results and Wave 13 Headline Results: Cannock Chase. 25

PROSPERITY: Economic Resilience

Cannock Chase has seen widespread changes to the local economy and business environment in recent years, with substantial investment in the transformation of former industrial sites, development of local infrastructure and the diversification of employment in sectors such as high technology, distribution, services and retail.

The economic environment for the District is influenced by many factors, including education and skills; sector trends and development; employment and worklessness; and the local impact of wider national and international economic developments.

Educational Attainment:

The percentage of Cannock Chase pupils attaining 5 or more A*-C grades at GSCE (including English and Mathematics) in 2011 was 51.2%, increasing from 47.3% in 2010.70 This follows the trend for attainment across the District which has increased year on year from 37.9% in 2006/07.71 However, while this improvement slightly reduced the gap between Cannock Chase average attainment and that of Regional and National averages, attainment in the District remains consistently below comparators.

Statistics indicate that Cannock Chase presented the second lowest percentage of pupils attaining 5 or more GCSEs at grade A*-C (including English and Mathematics) of all Staffordshire Districts in both 2010 and 2011.72 Results at County level were 53.9% in 2010, which increased in 2011 to 56.3%, between 5-7% higher than those in Cannock Chase for the same period.73 Figures for Regional and

70 Source: „GCSE and Equivalent Results for Young People by Free School Meal Eligibility, Referenced by Location of Pupil Residence‟, Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority), www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Data Sourced from DfE: Data and Statistics Division. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=5&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344942291347&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1656 71 Source: Staffordshire Observatory, Key Stage 4 Attainment (National Data) Districts, 2006/07-2009/10 http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=361&geoI d=47&subsetId= 72 Source: Staffordshire Observatory, Percentage of Pupils attaining 5 A*-C grades including Maths and English (Suppressed) Districts http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=240&geoI d=47&subsetId= (Note that suppressed data in this view gives slightly different % scores for GSCE results than national data sourced from DfE: Data and Statistics Division.) 73 Source: Staffordshire Observatory, Percentage of Pupils attaining 5 A*-C grades including Maths and English (Suppressed) Districts 26

National (England and Wales) attainment rates for the period September 2010 to August 2011 indicate that the percentage of pupils in Cannock Chase achieving 5+ A*-C grades (including English and Mathematics) was lower than the Regional level of 57.4% and the National level of 58.2%.74 Chart E below illustrates the difference between GCSE attainment at District, County, Regional and National level.

Chart E: Percentage of Pupils Achieving 5+ GCSEs at Grades A*-C including English and Mathematics, 2006/07-2010/11v

Data Labels shown for Cannock Chase and Staffordshire Note: Staffordshire County % begins at 2007.

The District average is derived from the actual attainment levels at individual high schools. School performance statistics for 2011 show improvement in attainment levels across the District‟s secondary

http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=240&geoI d=47&subsetId= (Note that suppressed data in this view gives slightly different % scores for GSCE results than national data sourced from DfE: Data and Statistics Division.) 74 Source: „GCSE and Equivalent Results for Young People by Free School Meal Eligibility, Referenced by Location of Pupil Residence‟ Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority), www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Data Sourced from DfE: Data and Statistics Division. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=5&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344942291347&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1656

27 schools, with levels ranging from 36% to 66%. The percentage point change for 2006-2011 indicates an improvement rate in attainment of up to 34% in certain schools. All secondary schools across Cannock Chase are performing above the School Floor Standards of 35% pupils achieving 5+ A*-C Grades at GCSE including English and Mathematics.75 The table and bar charts below provide insight into the performance of the District‟s secondary schools between 2006 and 2011.

Percentage of Pupils in Cannock Chase Secondary Schools achieving 5+ A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics

Secondary School 2010 2011 2006-2011 % Point Change Staffordshire University Academy (formerly Blake Valley 41% 50% 32% Technology College) Cannock Chase High School 46% 48% 12% Cardinal Griffin 60% 66% 30% Fair Oak Academy (formerly Fair Oak Business & Enterprise College) 49% 60% 34% Hagley Park Academy (formerly Hagley Park 22% 36% 15% Sports College) Kingsmead Technology College 55% 52% 10% Norton Canes High School 44% 48% 21%

Source: The Department for Education: School and Local Statistics Performance Tables: Secondary Schools in Cannock 2011 KS4 Performance Tables Year on Year Comparisons: Percentage achieving 5+ A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics GCSEs. http://www.education.gov.uk

75 The Department for Education states that „it is expected as a minimum standard, all schools should have at least 35 per cent of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs at grade A*-C or equivalent including GCSEs (or iGCSEs) in both English and Mathematics‟. See Department for Education, Statistical First Release, „GCSE and Equivalent Results in England 2010/11‟ (Revised), January 2012. http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/s/sfr%2002-2012.pdf 28

Performance Tables for Cannock Chase Secondary Schools, 2006-2011

Source: The Department for Education: School and Local Statistics Performance Tables: Secondary Schools in Cannock http://www.education.gov.uk

29

The charts above indicate that all schools have seen an overall improvement in attainment over the time frame. Figures for 2011 show a closer relationship in attainment levels across the schools. Kingsmead Technology College saw a slight drop in levels by 3% between 2010 and 2011. However, the school has seen a 10% increase in attainment since 2006. It is also encouraging that while Hagley Park saw a decline in the attainment rate in 2010, data for 2011 indicates that the school saw a 14% rise in attainment from 2010 to a rate of 36%. Statistics for 2011 again show a rise in attainment levels at Staffordshire University Academy (formerly Blake Valley Technology College). The percentage point change for 2006-2011 also reveals that attainment levels at Fair Oak Academy (formerly Fair Oak Business and Enterprise College) have risen by 34% since 2006.

School Census data reveals that the percentage of children defined as Gifted or Talented in Cannock Chase has almost doubled since 2007 (5.5%) to a rate of 10.1% in 2011.76 These statistics show that Cannock Chase has the fourth highest percentage of Gifted and Talented pupils of all Staffordshire Districts and is above the County average of 9.5%.77 Statistics showing an increase in GCSE attainment as well as a higher percentage of Gifted and Talented pupils in Cannock Chase demonstrate a significant development in attainment.

Disadvantage and School Attainment:

School performance is an important factor contributing towards pupils‟ attainment. However, research suggests that it is less of a contributor to low attainment than factors such as household income, family background, and parental support and involvement. The Government‟s April 2011 report Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers: A Strategy for Social Mobility suggests that „it is still far too often the case that deprivation is destiny. Despite record spending on schools, there remains a vast gap between the attainment of children from rich and poor backgrounds‟.78 Consistently low GCSE attainment levels reduce

76 The Department for Education defines „Gifted and Talented‟ as follows: „Gifted describes learners who have the ability to excel academically in one or more subjects such as English, Drama, Technology. Talented describes learners who have the ability to excel in practical skills such as sport, leadership, artistic performance‟. See Technical Notes in Department for Education, Statistical First Release, „Schools, Pupils, and their Characteristics‟, January 2011 (released June 2011) http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/main%20text%20sfr122011.pdf 77 Source: Staffordshire Observatory, School Census: Percentage of Pupils who are Gifted and Talented, (Suppressed) http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=201&geoI d=47&subsetId= 78 Source: HM Government, Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers: A Strategy for Social Mobility, April 2011 30 the options for pupils both in terms of continuing in structured education (to “A level” standard and subsequently Degree level) and in terms of employability. As noted, the Cannock Chase District Profile 2012 produced by Staffordshire County Council reports that „low levels of education and skills are often associated with high levels of worklessness and other socio-economic issues‟.79 As the Government‟s Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers report states, „bright children from poorer families tend to fall back relative to more advantaged peers who have not performed as well‟.80

School students in England are eligible to receive free school meals (FSM) if their parents receive income support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act (1999), the Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit or Child Tax Credit and have an annual income which does not exceed £16,190.81 Statistics indicate lower attainment levels among children who are in receipt of free school meals compared to those who are not. In 2010-2011 62% Non-FSM pupils at National level were achieving 5+ A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics compared with 34.6% FSM Pupils.82 This followed the pattern of attainment in the period 2009-2010 when 58.8% Non-FSM pupils in England were achieving the 5+ A*-Cs compared with 31.2% FSM Pupils.83 Chart F below shows how the ratios of this attainment gap are reflected in Cannock Chase. In 2010-2011 54.1% Non-FSM Pupils achieved the 5+ A*-Cs which was over double the percentage of FSM Pupils who reached this attainment level at 25.2%.84 This continued the trend from 2009-2010 when 50.4% Non-FSM Pupils in the District achieved the 5+ A*-C Grades at GCSE including English and Mathematics, compared with 19.5% of FSM pupils. This indicates a rate in educational attainment over 50% lower for FSM pupils in Cannock http://www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files_dpm/resources/opening- doors-breaking-barriers.pdf 79 Source: Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase District Profile 2012. 80 Source: HM Government, Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers: A Strategy for Social Mobility, April 2011 http://www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files_dpm/resources/opening- doors-breaking-barriers.pdf 81 Department for Education, „Free school meals eligibility criteria‟, April 2012 http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/pastoralcare/a00202841/fsmcrite ria 82 Source: „GCSE and Equivalent Results for Young People by Free School Meal Eligibility, Referenced by Location of Pupil Residence‟ Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority), www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Data Sourced from DfE: Data and Statistics Division. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=5&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344942291347&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1656 83 Ibid. 84 Ibid. 31

Chase and illustrates that the attainment gap between FSM and Non- FSM pupils in the District has increased in 2010/2011 compared with 2006/2007 (see Chart F below). Levels of attainment among FSM pupils in the District in 2010-2011 were also below those of FSM pupils at Regional (36.5%) and National (England) level (34.6%).85

Chart F: Attainment Levels between FSM and Non-FSM Pupils in Cannock Chase, 2006/07-2010/11vi:

60 50.4 54.1 50 45.3 51.2 43.4 39.7 47.3 40 41.1 43 Gap of 37.9 28.9% 30 Gap of 25.2 25.7% 20.8 20 19.5 13.5 10 14

0 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

% All Pupils % Non-FSM Pupils % FSM Pupils

Evidence of the attainment gap between FSM and Non-FSM pupils in Cannock Chase illustrates the impact of social and economic inequality on educational attainment and thus the potential social and economic prospects of a significant proportion of pupils in the District. Figures indicate that 12.1% compulsory school age pupils received Free School Meals in 2009. This continued to increase between 2009 and 2011 to 14.4% in 2010 and 15.7% in 2011.86 Statistics indicate a slight fall to 15.6% for pupils receiving FSM in 2012, although figures for 2012 suggest that Cannock Chase has the third highest percentage of school pupils receiving free school meals in the County.87

Levels of unauthorised absence were higher among FSM Pupils in Cannock Chase than their Non-FSM Peers between 2009 and 2010. Rates of unauthorised absence among FSM pupils at primary schools in Cannock Chase were 1.49% for this period - over three times higher

85 Ibid. 86 Source: Staffordshire Observatory, „Percentage of Pupils who have Free School Meals‟, Districts: School Census http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=204&geoI d=47&subsetId= 87 Ibid. Figures for 2012 suggest that Newcastle-under-Lyme and Tamworth have higher percentages of FSM students at 16.0% and 17.4% respectively. 32 than those among Non-FSM pupils at a rate of 0.42%.88 Rates of unauthorised absence were 2.49% for FSM pupils in the District‟s secondary schools - over double the rate of absence among their Non- FSM peers (1.11%) for the same period.89 Overall there were unauthorised absences by 1.83% of FSM pupils compared with 0.77% of Non-FSM pupils between 2009 and 2010.90

The report Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers: A Strategy for Social Mobility highlighted the inequalities within education and employment faced by disadvantaged children, including those eligible for free school meals. The report emphasised that „improving social mobility requires us to narrow the gaps at every stage in life‟.91 It is therefore encouraging that rates of unauthorised absence among FSM pupils in Cannock Chase secondary schools between 2009 and 2010 were at a rate of 1.83% which was below both West Midlands (2.21%) and England (2.30%) levels.92 However, reducing the attainment gap between FSM pupils and Non-FSM pupils remains an issue in Cannock Chase.

Post-16 Education

In 2010 95% of school leavers in Cannock Chase continued with structured learning following the completion of compulsory schooling. This shows an increase of 4.4% in the number of students remaining in education since 2007.93 The Department for Education reported in June 2012 that the proportion of 16-18 year olds in full-time education at National level saw a marginal fall from 70.6% in 2010 to 70.5% in 2011. This was the first time it had fallen since 2001.94 Cannock Chase figures

88 Ibid. 89 Ibid. 90 Ibid. 91 Source: HM Government, Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers: A Strategy for Social Mobility, April 2011. http://www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files_dpm/resources/opening- doors-breaking-barriers.pdf 92 „Pupil Absence in Schools by Free School Meal Eligibility, Referenced by Location of Pupil Residence‟, Sep 09-Aug 10, Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority) www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk Data sourced from DfE: Data and Statistics Division: National Pupil Database and Dissemination Unit. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=5&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344942291362&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1961 93 Source: Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase District Profile 2012. 94 Source: Department for Education, Statistical First Release, „Participation in Education, Training and Employment by 16-18 Year Olds in England, End 2011‟, 28th June 2012. http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/s/main%20text%20sfr122012.pdf 33

show a fall in the number of 16-18 year old students entered for Level 3 Qualifications from 601 in 2009-2010 to 569 in 2010-2011.95

Statistics relating to attainment levels among 16-18 year old students entered for GCE/Applied GCE A/AS and Equivalent Examination Results (Level 3) between September 2010 and August 2011 indicate that 96.7% students achieved two or more passes of A Level equivalent size which exceeded both the Regional average of 92.7% and the England average of 93.6%.96 This also showed an increase from attainment levels in the period September 2009-August 2010 when 94.0% students in Cannock Chase achieved two or more passes of A Level equivalent, similar to both the Regional average (94.1%) and the England average (94.4%) for the same period.97

Adult Skills Levels

Qualification Levels for the Working Age Population (16-64), 2010 and 2011vii

No NVQ1+ NVQ 2+ NVQ 3+ NVQ 4+ Qualifications 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 Cannock 6.7% 12.3% 81.0% 84.1% 58.3% 69.3% 41.2% 41.8% 20.3% 16.7 Chase % Staffordshire 11.2 10.2% 81.8% 84.2% 67.5% 68.9% 50.0% 47.7% 29.1% 27.0 % % West 15.1 14.0% 77.1% 78.5% 62.4% 64.3% 45.4% 45.9% 26.0% 26.3 Midlands % % Great Britain 11.3 10.6% 80.2% 82.7% 67.2% 69.7% 51.0% 52.7% 31.3% 32.9 % %

NVQ Level 4 and above (HND, Degree Level and above):

Statistics for January 2011-December 2011 suggest that a lower percentage of the Cannock Chase population is qualified to degree level (16.7%) than at County (27.0%), Regional (26.3%) and National (32.9%) level (see the table above). The number of people qualified to

95 Source: „GCE/Applied GCE A/AS and Equivalent Examination Results (Level 3) for Young People by Gender, Referenced by Location of Student Residence‟ Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority) www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk (Data updated June 2012). Data sourced from Department for Education. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=5&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1345019663670&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1984 96 Ibid. 97 Ibid. 34 this level in the District has increased since 2009 when 12.8% of the resident population obtained this qualification level. However, there has been a fall in the number of people qualified to this level in the last two years, from 12, 300 (20.3%) between January 2010 and December 2010 to 9,600 (16.7%) between January 2011 and December 2011.98

NVQ Level 3 (2 or more A Levels, advanced GNVQ):

A lower percentage of the Cannock Chase population was qualified to this level between January 2011 and December 2011 (41.8%) than at County (47.7%), Regional (45.9%) and National (52.7%) level (see the table above). However, the percentage of people qualified to A Level in Cannock Chase increased from 41.2% to 41.8% between January 2010 and December 2011.99

NVQ Level 2 (5 or more GCSEs at Grades A-C, intermediate GNVQ):

A higher percentage of the Cannock Chase population have qualifications equivalent to Grade C and above at GCSE (69.3%) than at County (68.9%) or Regional (64.3%) level. The District has seen a rise of 11% in the number of residents with this level of qualification since 2010 (58.3%).100

NVQ Level 1 (Fewer than 5 GCSEs at Grades A-C, foundation GNVQ):

The percentage of people in Cannock Chase with this level of qualification (84.1%) was above the West Midlands (78.5%) and Great Britain (82.7%) average between January 2011 and December 2011, but similar to the County average (84.2%).101

98 Source: Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase, Qualification Levels for the Working Age Population, January 2011-December 2011, Data sourced from ONS Annual Population Survey http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx ; Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: Qualification Levels for the Working Age Population, January 2011-December, Data sourced from ONS Annual Population Survey http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx See also Staffordshire Observatory, „Adult Qualifications‟ District, http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=342&geoI d=50&subsetId= 99 Ibid. 100 Ibid. 101 Ibid. 35

No Qualifications (No formal qualifications held):

A higher proportion of residents in Cannock Chase were recorded with no qualifications in December 2011 (12.3%) than in the previous year (6.7%), although this remains below regional level (14.0%).102

Chart G: Qualification Levels for the Working Age Population, January 2011-December 2011viii

102 Ibid. 36

Worklessness

ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates for 2010 show that Cannock Chase‟s working age (16-64) population accounted for 61,500 people, or 64.9% of the District population.103 Of the working age population 13.8% in Cannock Chase were classed as workless between March and April 2011. Whilst this was above the Staffordshire rate of 10.9% and the Great Britain rate of 12.9%, it was below the West Midlands rate of 14.4% for the same period.104 Figures for November 2011 show that 9670 people, or 15.7% of the District‟s working-age population, claimed benefits. In November 2011 7,660 people or 12.4% of the workforce were claiming key out-of-work benefits including JSA, ESA and Incapacity Benefit, Lone Parents and other income related benefits. This compared with November 2010 when 7,950 or 12.9% of the workforce were claiming key out-of-work benefits, demonstrating a reduction in benefit claimant rates across the District during the twelve months November 2010 to November 2011.105

Whilst claimant levels remain above County average (12.5% in November 2011), the statistics below show that the percentage point of reduction in claimant rates across the District exceeds that at County level.106

103 Source: Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase, Resident Population, ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates 2010, www.nomisweb.co.uk http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx Mid-Year Population Estimates for Working-Age Population (16-64) have been used in this report as the broad age bands given in the 2011 Census are 15-19, which complicates aggregating a 16-64 proportion. 104 Source: Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase District Profile 2012. 105 Source: Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Out-of-Work Benefits, www.nomisweb.co.uk http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx 106 Ibid; Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: Out-of-Work Benefits, www.nomisweb.co.uk http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx

37

Chart H: Benefit Claimant Rates, Cannock Chase and Staffordshire, November 2010 and November 2011ix

Reduction of Reduction of 0.4% between 0.5% between 2010 and 2010 and 2011 2011

Reduction of Reduction of 0% between 0.2% between 2010 and 2010 and 2011 2011

38

Benefit Claimant rate, November 2011 data

Type of CCDC Staffordshire West Mids Great Britain Claimant JSA 3.5% 2.7% 4.7% 3.8% ESA & Incapacity 7.1% 5.8% 6.8% 6.5% Benefit Lone Parents 1.4% 1.1% 1.7% 1.5% Carers 1.7% 1.2% 1.5% 1.2% Others on 0.5% 0.4% 0.5% 0.4% Income Related Benefits Disabled 1.4% 1.1% 1.2% 1.1% Bereaved 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% Total 15.7% 12.5% 16.5% 14.7% Claimants

Source: Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Out-of-Work Benefits http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: Out-of-Work Benefits http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx

As the charts and table above show, rates were higher in Cannock Chase for total claims on key benefits than for Staffordshire and Great Britain, but lower than the Regional average. However, figures for November 2011 show that the percentage of total claimants in Cannock Chase fell from 16.1% in November 2010 to 15.7% in November 2011, while the total claimant rate at County level remained the same in November 2011 as in November 2010 at 12.5%.107

The high levels of Incapacity Benefit claims in the District indicated in the „People‟ section above illustrate the relationship between economic prosperity and health and wellbeing. Incapacity Benefit continues to be a prevalent form of benefit claim in the District based on a range of physical and mental illnesses, with the largest percentage of claims (34%) being for mental disorders.108 Figures for

107 Source: Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Out-of-Work Benefits, www.nomisweb.co.uk http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx ; Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: Out-of-Work Benefits, www.nomisweb.co.uk http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx 108 Source: „Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance Claimants‟, Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority) www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Data updated May 2012. Data sourced from Department of Work and Pensions. Data has been rounded to base 5 to protect small counts. Introduction of ESA has implications for this dataset. 39

November 2011 show that, while levels of ESA and Incapacity Benefit claims have dropped in the District from 7.3% in November 2010 to 7.1%, claimant levels remain above Staffordshire (5.8%), West Midlands (6.8%) and Great Britain (6.5%) averages.109

Figures for November 2011 show that Cannock North (25.2%), Cannock South (23.9%) and Cannock East (21.9%) have particularly high total claimant rates for out-of-work benefits of all Wards in the District.110 However, as the table shows, there have been decreases in the rate of total claimants in a number of Wards in the District since November 2010.

Total Claimant Rates in Cannock Chase Wards, November 2010 and November 2011

Ward November 2010 November 2011 % Change 2010- 2011 Cannock North 25.6% 25.2% -0.4% Cannock South 24.5% 23.9% -0.6% Cannock East 22.5% 21.9% -0.6% Hednesford North 19.3% 19.2% -0.1% Hagley 17.8% 16.9% -0.9% Brereton and Ravenhill 17.7% 16.9% -0.8% Norton Canes 15.2% 15.5% +0.3% Etching Hill and The Heath 14.7% 13.8% -0.9% Western Springs 13.8% 13.0% -0.8% Rawnsley 13.6% 13.3% -0.3% Heath Hayes East and 12.7% 12.8% +0.1% Wimblebury Cannock West 12.4% 12.1% -0.3% Hednesford Green Heath 11.6% 11.3% -0.3% Hednesford South 10.3% 10.1% -0.2% Hawks Green 7.5% 7.6% +0.1% Cannock Chase District 16.1% 15.7% -0.4%

Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk (2003 CAS Ward Profile): Benefit Claimants: Working-age Clients for Small Areas, November 2010 and November 2011.

http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=6&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344940818143&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1359 109 Source: Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Out-of-Work Benefits, www.nomisweb.co.uk http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx 110 Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk (2003 CAS Ward Profile): Benefit Claimants: Working- age Clients for Small Areas, November 2010 and November 2011. 40

Job Seekers’ Allowance

The levels of Job Seekers‟ Allowance Claimants are reported on a monthly basis by the Office for National Statistics, and therefore provide a more regular snapshot of unemployment issues at a local level. The current data (covering June 2012) indicates that 3.6% of Cannock Chase‟s working population receives JSA benefit. This is the highest ratio across the Staffordshire Districts and remains above County (2.6%) average.111

JSA Claimant Count, Staffordshire Districts (16-64), June 2012

District Claimant Rate (%) Cannock Chase 3.6% East Staffordshire 3.0% Lichfield 2.3% Newcastle-Under-Lyme 2.9% South Staffordshire 2.5% Stafford 2.1% Staffordshire Moorlands 1.9% Tamworth 3.1% Staffordshire 2.6%

Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk JSA Claimant Count with Rates and Proportions, Staffordshire Districts, (16-64), June 2012.

However, Cannock Chase is currently below both Regional (4.7%) and National (3.8%) averages. Furthermore, JSA claimant rates have seen a 0.4% reduction since January 2012. This mirrors the reduction in rates at County level which have fallen from 3.0% in January 2012 to 2.6% in June 2012.112 Examining the JSA Claimant Count in Cannock Chase between January 2010 and June 2012 demonstrates that the District has seen a reduction in JSA claimants since 2010. As Chart I below demonstrates, figures for June 2012 show a gradual decline in the proportion of the population in receipt of benefits since January 2010.

111 Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk JSA Claimant Count with Rates and Proportions, Staffordshire Districts, (16-64), June 2012. 112 Source: Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: JSA Claimants, www.nomisweb.co.uk http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx ; Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: JSA Claimants, www.nomisweb.co.uk http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx 41

Chart I: JSA Claimants: Cannock Chase/Staffordshire 2010-2012x

Furthermore, while Cannock Chase has the highest claimant count of all Staffordshire Districts, the District has seen a reduction in its claimant rate by a larger percentage than other Staffordshire Districts between June 2011 and June 2012, as the table below illustrates.

JSA Claimant Count, Staffordshire Districts (16-64), June 2011 and 2012

Claimant Claimant Rate June Rate June District 2011 2012 % Change Cannock Chase 3.8% 3.6% -0.2% East Staffordshire 2.8% 3.0% +0.2% Lichfield 2.3% 2.3% 0% Newcastle-Under-Lyme 2.9% 2.9% 0% South Staffordshire 2.6% 2.5% -0.1% Stafford 2.2% 2.1% -0.1% Staffordshire Moorlands 1.8% 1.9% +0.1% Tamworth 3.2% 3.1% -0.1%

Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk JSA Claimant Count with Rates and Proportions, Staffordshire Districts, (16-64).

42

There are a number of Wards across Cannock Chase with particularly high JSA claimant rates. These are Cannock North (6.1%), Cannock East (5.8%), Cannock South (5.8%) and Hednesford North (4.5%). However, as the table below shows, there has been a reduction in overall JSA claimant rates in these Wards since June 2011.113

JSA Claims in Cannock Chase Wards, June 2011 and June 2012

Ward June 2011 June 2012 % Change Cannock North 6.5% 6.1% -0.8% Cannock East 5.8% 5.8% -0.4% Cannock South 6.0% 5.8% -0.8% Hednesford North 4.8% 4.5% -0.3%

Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk (2003 CAS Ward Profile): Claimant Count with Rates and Proportions, June 2011 and 2012.

Youth Unemployment

Of the total JSA claimants within the District, there continues to be a disproportionate number aged between 18-24 years. Youth unemployment is regarded as having the serious consequences of scarring and inactivity, leading young people into a persistently negative experience of the labour market, long-term worklessness and reluctance to invest in education and training.114 Figures for June 2012 indicate that 8.9% of 18-24 year olds in Cannock Chase were claiming Job Seekers‟ Allowance, compared with 3.4% of the working-age population aged 25 to 49 and 1.9% aged 50 to 64. JSA Claimant rates for those aged 18 to 24 in Cannock Chase were higher than the Staffordshire average of 6.1% and the Great Britain average of 7.3%, although below the West Midlands average of 9.0% for the same period.115 However, statistics for June 2012 show a reduction of 0.3% in JSA claimant rates among those aged 18 to 24 in Cannock Chase since June 2011 when the rate was 9.2%. This compares with a 0.1% reduction in the rate at County level from 6.2% in June 2011. These figures indicate that the percentage of 18-24 JSA claimants has seen a greater rate of reduction in Cannock Chase than across Staffordshire as a whole in this twelve month period.116

113 Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk 2003 CAS Ward Profile): Claimant Count with Rates and Proportions, June 2011 and 2012. 114 Source: Staffordshire Economic Bulletin, Issue 13 (January 2010); Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase District Profile 2012. 115 Source: Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: JSA Claimants by Age Duration, www.nomisweb.co.uk http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx ; Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: JSA Claimants by Age Duration, www.nomisweb.co.uk http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx 116 Ibid. 43

The table below provides insight into JSA Claimant Rates among those aged 18 to 24 in the different Cannock Chase Wards in June 2012.

Percentage of JSA Claimants in Cannock Chase Wards, June 2012 (% JSA Claimants Aged 18-24 is ranked highest at the top.)

Ward % JSA Total JSA Claimants Claimants Aged 18-24 Western Springs 41.5% 2.9% Etching Hill and The Heath 39.7% 2.9% Hawks Green 38.5% 1.8% Heath Hayes East and 33.6% 2.8% Wimblebury Cannock South 33.2% 5.8% Hednesford North 32.9% 4.5% Cannock North 32.5% 6.1% Cannock West 32.2% 3.0% Hednesford Green Heath 32.1% 2.5% Hagley 31.6% 3.4% Norton Canes 29.9% 3.3% Cannock East 29.6% 5.8% Brereton and Ravenhill 29.5% 3.3% Rawnsley 29.2% 2.7% Hednesford South 27.5% 2.3%

Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk JSA Claimant Rates, ONS Claimant Count by Age and Duration, June 2012. Data sourced from ONS Claimant Count with Rates and Proportions.

Figures for June 2012 indicate that Western Springs has the highest rate of JSA Claims among 18-24 year olds, followed by Etching Hill and The Heath. Both of these Wards have relatively low overall JSA claimant rates. Areas which have a high level of unemployment among 18-24 year olds do not necessarily have high overall levels of unemployment. This trend is particularly evident with reference to Hawks Green which had the lowest level of overall JSA claimants in June 2012 at 1.8% but the third highest rate of JSA claims among 18-24 year olds. Evidence of disproportionate rates of youth unemployment indicates an area of inequality.117

117 www.nomisweb.co.uk JSA Claimant Rates, ONS Claimant Count by Age and Duration, June 2012. Data sourced from ONS Claimant Count with Rates and Proportions.

44

Employment by Occupation

The July 2012 edition of Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Economic Bulletin reports that the UK economy has experienced a quarter-on-quarter decline of -0.3% during the first quarter of 2012. This contraction is larger than anticipated (-0.2%) and demonstrates that the UK in its first double-dip recession since the 1970s.118 However, ONS labour market data indicates that the UK unemployment rate was 8.2% for the three months to March which is down -0.2% with 105,000 new jobs created over the quarter and a fall in unemployment by 13,700.119

Statistics relating to employment by occupation for the period April 2011 to March 2012 continue to show an over representation of skilled trades occupations in Cannock Chase (24.4%) compared with Regional (11.7%) and National (10.8%) levels.120 However, the percentage of the District workforce which is employed in Group 1-3 occupations, which includes managerial and professional occupations, has risen since 2010:

Cannock Chase Employment by Occupation: Soc 2010 Major Group 1- 3 (Apr 2011-Mar 2012):

 Jul 10-Jun 11: 29.1%  Oct 10-Sep 11: 30.6%  Jan 11-Dec 11: 33.3%  Apr 11-Mar 12: 34.3%

Source: Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Employment by Occupation Apr 2011-Mar2012. www.nomisweb.co.uk Data sourced from ONS Annual Population Survey. % for those of 16+, a proportion of all people in employment. http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx

This increase of 5.2% for the District compares with a slight increase of 0.2% in the percentage of the National workforce employed in Group 1-3 occupations from 43.2% in July 2010-June 2011 to 43.4% in April 2011-March 2012. Moreover, there has been a marginal decline (-0.3%) in the percentage of the Regional workforce employed in Group 1-3 occupations and a larger fall of 1.2% in the percentage of the County workforce employed in occupations within this group.121

118 Source: Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Economic Bulletin, Issue 9 (July 2012). 119 Ibid. Unemployment fall measured by claimant count. 120 Source: Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Employment by Occupation Apr 2011-Mar2012. www.nomisweb.co.uk Data sourced from ONS Annual Population Survey. % for those of 16+, a proportion of all people in employment. http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx 121 Ibid; Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: Employment by Occupation Apr 2011-Mar 2012. www.nomisweb.co.uk Data sourced from ONS Annual Population Survey. % for 45

Figures for April 2011-March 2012 indicate that employment in Group 8- 9 occupations, which include process plant and machine operatives and elementary occupations, has decreased at District level since 2010:

Cannock Chase Employment by Occupation: Soc 2010 Major Group 8- 9 (Apr 2011-Mar 2012):

 Jul 10-Jun 11: 20.6%  Oct 10-Sep 11: 21.1.6%  Jan 11-Dec 11: 19.3%  Apr 11-Mar 12: 17.2%

Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Employment by Occupation Apr 2011-Mar 2012. Data sourced from ONS Annual Population Survey. % for those of 16+, a proportion of all people in employment. http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx

Chart J: Proportion of Residents in Cannock Chase employed in Soc 2010 Major Group 1-3 and 8-9 Occupations, 2010-2012xi

Occupations in Soc 2010 Major Group 8-9 which include process plant and machine operatives, as well as elementary occupations, remain a key source of jobs for people in the District. However, figures for April 2011-March 2012 suggest that the largest percentage of the District workforce are employed in Soc 2010 Major Group 4-5 occupations which include administrative and secretarial jobs as well as skilled those of 16+, a proportion of all people in employment. http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx 46 trades occupations. Figures for April 2011-March 2012 show that 37.6% of the Cannock Chase workforce is employed in occupations in this group, compared with 24.6% at County level, 22.9% at Regional level and 22.0% at National level.122 The Cannock Chase District Profile for 2012 produced by Staffordshire County Council states that the largest increase in jobs in the District has been in the „Public Admin & Defence‟ sector and the wholesale areas.123 Employment trends in the District may reflect the restructuring of the Staffordshire economy „away from traditional manufacturing industries and towards service type activities‟.124

Employment by Occupation in Cannock Chase, April 2011-March 2012

Group Group 4-5 Group 1-3 Group 8-9 34.3% 37.6% 6-7 10.9% 17.2%

Managerial & Administrative & Sales & Service Process Plant Professional Skilled Trades Occupations & Machine Operatives/ Elementary Occupations

Source: Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Employment by Occupation Apr 2011-Mar 2012. www.nomisweb.co.uk Data sourced from ONS Annual Population Survey. % for those of 16+, a proportion of all people in employment. http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx

This may indicate developments in the occupation types across the District in the direction recommended by the West Midlands Regional Observatory in terms of „developing more businesses in higher value added sectors‟125. An increase in employment within service provision and professional occupations in the District is an important factor in responding to changing labour markets by generating more highly skilled employment to avoid stagnation of the local economy.

122 Ibid. 123 Source: Staffordshire County Council, Cannock Chase District Profile 2012. 124 Source: Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Economic Bulletin, Issue 9 (July 2012). 125 Source: The West Midlands Economy Post Recession: Key Issues and Challenges. West Midlands Regional Observatory, June 2010. See page 11. 47

Economic Growth

Evidence of an increase in the percentage of the District workforce employed in Group 1-3 and 4-5 occupations between 2010 and 2012 suggests that continued growth in this direction could reduce the District economy‟s reliance on employment in vulnerable sectors during the continued economic downturn. The District Profile for Cannock Chase 2012 produced by Staffordshire County Council reports that the District has undergone „much restructuring in the economy‟ in recent years.126 The number of employee jobs in Cannock Chase has remained stable between 2006 and 2010 while all other Staffordshire Districts have seen reduction in the number of employee jobs between 3% and 16%. Cannock Chase also had a higher business start-up rate (41%) than the County average (37.9 per 10,000 resident population) and the Regional average (40.5) in 2010. However, the District had a lower five-year business survival rate than County, Regional and National levels during the same period.127

BBC Local Growth Research produced by Experian and published in February 2012 ranked Cannock Chase as the 29th Local Authority District (LAD) out of 324 for absolute business base growth between 2010 and 2012, whilst the business base reduced in the West Midlands. By incorporating both insolvencies and business start ups, evidence of growth in the business base „provides a good indication of the health of a local area‟. However, Cannock Chase ranked 229th in Experian‟s Business Champion indicator which assesses the future potential of businesses in a local area with reference to factors which include business ownership, size and foreign presence. Cannock Chase also ranked 288th for current exports and 215th for exporting potential within the category of export led growth which forms „a key component of the growth strategy for the UK‟. In addition, the District was 85th out of 324 LADs for proportion of public sector employment as opposed to employment in sectors identified as growth sectors. Indeed, the report ranked the District as 284th for the proportion of growth sector employment within areas such as the business service and financial insurance sectors.128

126 Source: Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase District Profile 2012. 127 Ibid. 128 Source: BBC/Experian, BBC Local Growth Research, February 2012. For full data see Tim Burke, „UK Economy: Where Companies Grow and Export‟, 19th March 2012, BBC News, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17384510 (bbc_final_rankings_20120314). 48

BBC Local Growth Research: Rankings for Staffordshire Districts

Local Business Business Current Exporting Proportion of Proportion of District Base Champions Exports Potential Public Sector Growth Growth Employment Sector Authority 2010- Employment (LDA) 2012 Cannock 29 229 288 215 85 284 Chase

East 90 186 34 27 155 182 Staffordshire

Lichfield 179 197 85 166 86 127

Newcastle- 85 33 134 44 156 236 under-Lyme

South 34 185 204 296 147 246 Staffordshire

Stafford 26 94 184 48 303 282

Staffordshire 4 144 206 49 131 181 Moorlands

Tamworth 260 139 47 82 11 123

Source: BBC/Experian, BBC Local Growth Research, February 2012. For full data see Tim Burke, „UK Economy: Where Companies Grow and Export‟, 19th March 2012, BBC News, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17384510 (bbc_final_rankings_20120314).

The table above shows how Cannock Chase is ranked in relation to the other Staffordshire Districts in the BBC Local Growth Research. The trend of high ranking business base growth but low ranking in proportion of growth sector employment can be identified similarly in Stafford and South Staffordshire.129

129 Ibid. 49

Acknowledgements

Information and statistics relating to housing in the District kindly supplied by James Morgan, Housing Strategy Officer, Cannock Chase District Council.

Endnotes: Sources for Charts i Staffordshire Observatory: Childhood Obesity, Districts. The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Lifestyle Statistics/ Department of Health Obesity Team NCMP Dataset http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=359&geoI d=47&subsetId= ii Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Out-of-Work Benefits; Cannock Chase: Benefit Claimants – Working Age Clients for Small Areas: Statistical Group ESA and Incapacity Benefit Nov 2010/Nov 2011; Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: Out of Work Benefits. iii Staffordshire Observatory/Chase Community Partnership, Cannock Chase Community Safety Strategic Assessment 2011. iv Source: Feeling the Difference: Our Public Confidence Survey Wave 11 Headline Results, Wave 12 Headline Results and Wave 13 Headline Results: Cannock Chase. v Statistics relating to Cannock Chase, West Midlands and England taken from www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk „GCSE and Equivalent Results for Young People by Free School Meal Eligibility, referenced by Location of Pupil Residence‟, Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority). www.neighbourhood.statistics.co.uk. Data Sourced from DfE: Data and Statistics Division. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=5&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344955940034&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1656 Statistics relating to Staffordshire taken from Staffordshire Observatory: „Percentage of Pupils attaining 5 A*-C grades including Maths and English‟ (Suppressed) Districts. http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=240&geoI d=47&subsetId= (Note that suppressed data in this view gives slightly different % scores for GSCE results than national data sourced from DfE: Data and Statistics Division.) vi „GCSE and Equivalent Results for Young People by Free School Meal Eligibility, referenced by Location of Pupil Residence‟ Area: Cannock Chase (Local Authority). www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Data Sourced from DfE: Data and Statistics Division. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3& b=277103&c=cannock+chase&d=13&e=5&g=484748&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s =1344955940034&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1656 vii Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Qualification Levels for the Working Age Population, January 2010-December 2010 and January 2011-December 2011,

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www.nomisweb.co.uk. Data sourced from ONS Annual Population Survey http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx; Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: Qualification Levels for the Working Age Population, January 2010-December 2010 and January 2011-December, www.nomisweb.co.uk. Data sourced from ONS Annual Population Survey http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx See also Staffordshire Observatory, „Adult Qualifications‟ District, http://www.staffordshireobservatory.org.uk/IAS/dataviews/tabular?viewId=342&geoI d=50&subsetId= viii Ibid. ix Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Out-of-Work Benefits http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: Out-of-Work Benefits http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx x Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: JSA Claimants http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx Labour Market Profile: Staffordshire: JSA Claimants http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1967128609/report.aspx xi Labour Market Profile: Cannock Chase: Employment by Occupation Apr 2011-Mar 2012. Data sourced from ONS Annual Population Survey. % for those of 16+, a proportion of all people in employment. http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431951/report.aspx

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