Belfast North

CCoonnssttiittuueennccyy PPrrooffiillee BBeellffaasstt NNoorrtthh

September 2010

Using the latest data available through the Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service (NINIS) www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk, this report provides an up-to-date statistical profile of the Constituency of Belfast North. It includes information on the demographics of people living in Belfast North as well as key indicators of Health, Education, the Economy, Employment, Housing, Crime and Poverty. For each indicator, this profile presents: • The most up-to-date information available for Belfast North; • How this compares with Northern Ireland as a whole; • The ranking of the Constituency; and • Information on the lowest and highest ranking wards where available.

This report presents a statistical profile of the Constituency of Belfast North which comprises of the 19 wards shown below.

0 Abbey 10 Fortwilliam 1 Coole 11 Ballysillan 2 Dunanney 12 Chichester Park 3 Whitehouse 13 Cliftonville 4 Valley 14 Water Works 5 Bellvue 15 Ardoyne 6 Legoniel 16 New Lodge 7 Cavehill 17 Crumlin 8 Duncairn 18 Woodvale 9 Castleview

2 BELFAST NORTH: KEY FACTS

Demographics • An estimated 83,493 people live in Belfast North, the Constituency with the 2 nd lowest population in 2008. • Just over half (51.9%) of people living in Belfast North are of Protestant community background while 44.9% are of Catholic community background. • Belfast North has a slightly higher proportion of people aged 60 and over compared to the Northern Ireland average (21.6% vs. 19.2%).

Health • Life expectancy in Belfast North is 72.6 years for males and 79.1 years for females, the second lowest Constituency in both cases.

Compared to Northern Ireland as a whole, Belfast North has a higher: • Death rate due to cancer, respiratory disease, circulatory disease and suicide and undetermined intent. • Rate of diagnosis of new cancers, the Constituency with the 2 nd highest rate. • Hospital admission ratio due to self harm, the Constituency with the highest rate • Proportion of people estimated to be on prescribed mood and anxiety disorder drugs, the Constituency with the highest proportion. • Proportion of people in receipt of at least one disability-related benefit, the Constituency with the 2 nd highest rate. • Rate of births to teenage mothers, the Constituency with the 2 nd highest rate • Prevalence of coronary heart disease, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity and diabetes mellitus for those attending GPs in Belfast North.

Compared to Northern Ireland as a whole, Belfast North has a lower: • Prevalence of hypothyroid and chronic kidney disease for those attending GPs in Belfast North.

Education • A higher proportion of post-primary pupils have a Statement of Special Educational Need compared to all Northern Ireland pupils, the Constituency with the 2 nd highest proportion of pupils with a SEN. • A lower proportion of Belfast North school leavers achieving at least at least two A-levels and five GCSEs at grades A*-C or compared to all Northern Ireland school leavers.

The Economy • Belfast North received £7.6 million from Invest NI in 2008/09.

3 • A lower proportion ‘Invest NI Start a Business’ participants from Belfast North were offered financial assistance compared to the Northern Ireland figure.

Employment • 46,845 employee jobs are located in Belfast North. A higher proportion of Belfast North employee jobs were in services and a lower proportion were in manufacturing compared to the Northern Ireland average. • In 2009, Belfast North was the Constituency with the 6 th highest number of redundancies with a total of 272 redundancies in the area.

Housing • There are 38,290 properties in Belfast North. Belfast North has a higher proportion of terraced, semi-detached and apartment properties compared to Northern Ireland. It also has a much lower proportion of detached properties when compared with Northern Ireland as a whole. • A lower proportion of planning applications were approved in Belfast North when compared to the proportion of Northern Ireland approvals (89.7% vs. 94.2%).

Crime Compared to the Northern Ireland rates, Belfast North has: • A much higher overall crime rate, the Constituency with the 2 nd highest rate. • Higher rates of burglary, theft, criminal damage and violent crime. • Northern Ireland is also ranked 2 nd in terms of anti-social behaviour incidents per 100,000 people.

Poverty • Belfast North has the 2 nd highest proportion of people (59%) living in the most deprived Super Output Areas in Northern Ireland. • A higher proportion of people living in Belfast North are claiming benefits such as Income Support and Housing Benefit.

2010 Westminster Election Results • 65,504 people eligible to vote, 56.5% turnout – similar to the Northern Ireland turnout of 56.7%. • Democratic Unionist Party candidate Nigel Dodds won the Belfast North seat.

2007 Assembly Election Results • 49,372 people were eligible to vote, the turnout at 59.1% turnout was lower than Northern Ireland turnout of 62.3%. • The DUP and Sinn Féin won 2 seats each. The SDLP and UUP won 1 each.

4 Table of Contents

Section Indicator Page

Demographics Population Size, Community Background, Age Profile 6

Health Life Expectancy of males and females 8 Death due to Cancer, Respiratory Disease, Circulatory 10 Disease, Suicide and Undetermined Intent Cancer Diagnoses 14 Hospital Admissions due to Self Harm 15 Mood and Anxiety Disorders 16 Disability-Related Benefit Claimants 17 Births to Teenage Mothers 18 Quality Outcomes Framework – Disease Prevalence 20

Education Statement of Special Educational Need 21 Highest Qualifications of School Leavers 22 Participation in Further Education 24 Participation in Higher Education 25

The Economy Invest NI Assistance 26 Invest NI Start a Business Programme 27

Employment Employee jobs (based on employer address) 29 Employee jobs by Sector (based on employer address) 30 Redundancies 31 Unemployment Claimant Count 32

Housing Housing Type 33 Planning Applications and Decisions 34

Crime Overall Crime 36 Violent Crime, Burglary, Theft, Criminal Damage 37 Anti-social Behaviour Incidents 38

Deprivation Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2010 39 & Poverty Benefit Claimants 41

Election 2010 Westminster Election Results 44 Results 2007 Assembly Election Results 45

5 1. DEMOGRAPHICS This section presents information on the population size, community background and age profile of those living in Belfast North.

Population Size As at June 2008, an estimated 83,493 people live in Belfast North, representing 4.7% of the Northern Ireland population (Source: Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), Mid-Year Estimates) .

Belfast North is the Constituency with the 2 nd lowest population.

Community Background Just over half (51.9%) of people living in Belfast North are of Protestant community background. A lower proportion (44.9%) of people living in Belfast North are of Catholic community background than of Protestant background. The remainder stated they were of other or no community background (Source: Census 2001).

Age profile of Belfast North There is little difference in the proportion of people aged under 16 in Belfast North when compared to all of Northern Ireland (21.4% vs. 21.5%) while Belfast North has a slightly higher proportion aged 60 and over (21.6% vs. 19.2%).

Belfast North is the Constituency with the 9th lowest proportion of people aged under 16 and the 3rd highest proportion of people aged 60 and over.

Chart 1: Age Profile of the population in 5 year age bands, June 2008

3 % total population of the 2

0 0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+ Age Band

Belfast North Northern Ireland Source: NISRA (Mid-Year Estimates)

6 2. HEALTH This section presents information on a wide range of key indicators of health. These are: • Life Expectancy of males and females (page 8);

• Standardised Death Rates due to Cancer, Respiratory Disease, Circulatory Disease (page 10);

• Deaths due to Suicide and Undetermined Intent (page 13);

• Cancer Diagnoses (page 14);

• Hospital Admissions due to Self Harm (page 15);

• Mood and Anxiety Disorder Prescriptions (page 16);

• Disability-related Benefit Recipients (page 17);

• Births to teenage mothers (page 18) and

• The prevalence of disease as reported through the Quality Outcomes Framework (page 20): o Coronary Heart Disease o Heart Failure o Stroke o Hypertension o Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease o Hypothyroid o Cancer o Mental Health o Asthma o Dementia o Atrial Fibrilation o Obesity o Diabetes Mellitus o Epilepsy o Chronic Kidney Disease o Learning Disabilities

7 Life Expectancy of males The life expectancy 1 of males living in Belfast North is estimated to be 72.6 years.

There life expectancy of males living in Belfast North is lower than that of all Northern Ireland males of 76.4 years.

Belfast North is the Constituency with the 2 nd lowest male life expectancy.

The life expectancy of males is lowest in the wards of Castleview, Chichester Park, Crumlin, Duncairn, Water Works, Woodvale, Coole, Dunanney, Valley, Whitehouse, Cliftonville, Legoniel, Ardoyne, and New Lodge where it is less than 75 years. Life expectancy of males is highest in Ballysillan, Cavehill, Fortwilliam and Abbey where it is greater than the Northern Ireland average but less than 85 years.2

Chart 2: Life expectancy of males, 2006-2008

65 Life Expectancy in Life years Expectancy 60

st th nd rd ry n m ne a m o im w ro tri r er tri We Nor Foyle y el nt Do Valley Down t t Ir t South An ngf A An n s ra th h n th fas fas th dond t l & Armagh Mid Ulster & S T er St on y Belfast East th East Upper Bann L Sou aga Nor Bel Be West Tyrone h Belfa Sou t Nor L Nor Newr nag a Eas Ferm Source: NISRA, Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service (NINIS) (Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS))

1 Calculated using the no. of deaths (General Register Office) and mid-year estimates (NISRA). 2 Ward level data is presented using ranges as the small number of deaths at various age groups does not support robust calculation of an exact life expectancy value at this geographic level.

8 Life Expectancy of Females The life expectancy 3 of females living in Belfast North is estimated to be 79.1 years.

The life expectancy of females living in Belfast North is slightly lower that of all Northern Ireland females of 81.3 years.

Belfast North is the Constituency with the 2 nd lowest female life expectancy.

The life expectancy of females is lowest in the wards or Ardoyne and New Lodge where it is less than 75 years and highest in the wards of Ballysillan, Cavehill, Cliftonville and Legoniel where it is greater than the Northern Ireland average but less than 85 years.4

Chart 3: Life expectancy of females, 2006-2008

65 Life Expectancy in Life years Expectancy 60

d d y h le h n n st e m th r rt y g im a u wn im nn o o o rone la tri o tr err F ntr Dow y re yron n Ba gf d N A I T An So D n Valley st T th a n t rn th st r th A lfa as lfa Mid Ulster r Str he e No Upper Belfast WestBe E South West rt Belfast E No Laga London gh & S Sou B No a Newry & Arma East Ferman Source: NISRA, NINIS (DHSSPS)

3 Calculated using the no. of deaths (General Register Office) and mid-year estimates (NISRA). 4 Ward level data is presented using ranges as the small number of deaths at various age groups does not support robust calculation of an exact life expectancy value at this geographic level.

9 Standardised Death Rates The standardised death rates 5 due to three main causes are presented here. These are death rates due to cancer, respiratory disease and circulatory disease. Standardisation allows for comparison between Constituencies having taken characteristics of the populations into account i.e. age and sex profiles.

Standardised Death Rates due to Cancer The standardised death rate due to cancer in Belfast North is 267 per 100,000 persons.

The death rate due to cancer in Belfast North is much higher than the Northern Ireland rate of 208 per 100,000 persons.

Belfast North is the Constituency with the 2 nd highest death rate due to cancer.

Information on death rates due to cancer is not available at ward level.

Chart 4: Standardised death rates due to Cancer per 100,000 persons by Constituency, 2004-2008

400

350

300

250

200

150

(per 100,000 persons) 100,000 (per 100

Standardised cancer death rate death Standardised cancer 50

n n ster ord Foyle Tyrone Ireland per Ban gan Valley Mid Ul Strangf lfast Northlfast West Up North Down South Dow Belfast East East Antrim La North Antrim West South BelfastAntrim South Be Be Northern East Londonderry Newry & Armagh

Fermanagh & S Tyrone

Source: NISRA, NINIS (General Register Office (GRO))

5 Rates are based on the number of deaths provided by the General Register Office and 2004 - 2008 Mid-Year Estimates provided by NISRA.

10 Standardised Death Rates due to Respiratory Disease The standardised death rate due to respiratory disease in Belfast North is 139 per 100,000 persons.

The death rate due to respiratory disease in Belfast North is much higher than the Northern Ireland rate of 106 per 100,000 persons.

Belfast North is the Constituency with the 3 rd highest death rate due to respiratory disease.

Information on death rates due to respiratory is not available at ward level.

Chart 5: Standardised Death rates due to Respiratory Disease per 100,000 persons by Constituency, 2004-2008

400

350

300

250

200

150

(per 100,000 persons) 100,000 (per 100

Standardised respiratory disease death rate death disease Standardised respiratory 0

nd rim wn er ntrim Foyle Ant Tyrone ndonderry Mid Ulst Strangford st Antrimlfast North Upper Bann North Down North South Do Lagan Valley Belfast East West Ea Be Belfast West Belfast South South A gh & S Tyrone st Lo Northern Irela Ea Newry & Armagh ermana F

Source: NISRA, NINIS (GRO)

11 Standardised Death Rates due to Circulatory Disease The standardised death rate due to circulatory disease in Belfast North is 297 per 100,000 persons.

The death rate due to circulatory disease is higher in Belfast North than the Northern Ireland rate of 266 per 100,000 persons.

Belfast North is the Constituency with the 5 th highest death rate due to circulatory disease.

Information on death rates due to circulatory is not available at ward level.

Chart 6: Standardised death rates due to Circulatory Disease per 100,000 persons by Constituency, 2004-2008

400

350

300

250

200

150

(per 100,000 persons) 100,000 (per 100

Standardised circulatory disease death rate death circulatory disease Standardised 0

wn nd outh Foyle Antrim Tyrone Strangforduth Antrim ndonderry & ArmaghMid Ulster North Do Upper Bann BelfastNorth East SouthLagan Down ValleyEast Antrim West Belfast ryNorth Belfast West Belfast S So gh & S Tyrone Northern Irela East Lo New

Fermana

Source: NISRA, NINIS (GRO)

12 Deaths due to Suicide and Undetermined Intent During the period 2004-2008, there were 101 deaths as a result of suicide and undetermined intent 67 in Belfast North. This equates to an average rate8 of 25 per 100,000 persons per annum.

The average death rate due to suicide and undetermined intent is much higher for Belfast North than the Northern Ireland rate of 13 per 100,000 persons.

Belfast North is the Constituency with the highest death rate due to suicide and undetermined intent.

This information is not available at ward level.

Chart 7: Average death rate per due to suicide and undetermined intent per 100,000 persons by Constituency, 2004-2008

Average rate Average 10

nd ord rim nn outh rone orth derry Foyle Ant Ty st Antrim Strangf ndon Mid Ulster & Armagh North Down Upper Ba Lagan Valley North Ea Belfast East South Down West BelfastBelfast West N South Antrim Belfastgh S & S Tyrone Northern Irela East Lo Newry

Fermana

Source: NISRA, NINIS (GRO)

6 The information is aggregated data from the GRO death files, which are gathered when deaths are registered at the Registrar’s Office. 7 Death where the intention of the victim is not clear. 8 Rate calculated using 2006 mid-year estimates provided by NISRA.

13 Cancer Diagnoses In 2007, there were 444 new incidences of cancer 910 diagnosed for Belfast North. This equates to a rate of 538 per 100,000 persons.

The rate of cancer diagnosis IS much higher for Belfast North than the Northern Ireland rate of 439 per 100,000 persons.

Belfast North is the Constituency with the 2nd highest rate of cancer diagnosis in Northern Ireland.

During the period 2003-2007, rates11 of cancer diagnosis per 100,000 persons are lowest in the wards of Ballysillan (414), Ardoyne (420) and Bellvue (432) and highest in the wards of Crumlin (794), Whitehouse (691) and Coole (653).

Chart 8: Rate of diagnosis of all cancers per 100,000 persons by Constituency (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer), 2007

600

500

400

300

200 Rate of Diagnosis Rate

100

n h y h t n t le w im im t m w rth y o ster erry tr lle u o o o l d n a o F D A V ngford S Wes D a Antr Ireland Antri st h st N th Armagh n h n st rt fast Eas u Mid U st Tyrone & t a Str rt er a st lfa o a l o e o h lf a e N e S W ag N rt Upper eBann E B t London Sou L o B B Belf N Eas Newry

Fermanagh & S Tyrone

Source: NISRA, NINIS, Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (calculated by DHSSPS)

9 Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. 10 Data on cancer incidence are available from multiple sources, primarily pathological records, hospital discharges and death registrations from the General Registrar Office (GRO). This data is captured electronically, collated and quality assured on a regular basis to provide a population- based registry of cancer incidence for Northern Ireland. Tumour details are collected on cancer diagnoses according to the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD10). 11 Ward Rates calculated using 2005 mid-year estimates provided by NISRA.

14 Hospital Admissions due to Self Harm For the period 2005-2009, the standardised hospital admission ratio for self harm 12 in Belfast North stood at 201. Ratios are calculated to allow comparison of areas or groups to the NI average which is set to 100.

The standardised hospital admission ratio for self harm is much higher in Belfast North than the Northern Ireland ratio of 100. This is true for both males (214 compared to 100) and females (191 compared to 100).

Belfast North is the Constituency with the highest standardised hospital admission ratio for self harm.

This information is not available at ward level.

Chart 9: Standardised hospital admission ratio for self harm by Constituency, 2005-2009

250

200

150

100

Hospital Hospital admission ratio 50

y rd h e m ne ter o wn nn st tri o o oyle orth gf mag Ba Ea N An Uls n Down F t d h Ar Irelandt South er th S Tyr th Antrim rth D n s as r Mi Stra ut & er lfast & est Tyrone y No h Upp Lagan Vall No h East AntrimW So Belf BelfastBe West g Sou Belfa Nort East Londonderry Newr rmana e F

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Northern Ireland Hospitals Patients Administration System, DHSSPS)

12 The data is based upon the number of admissions due to self-harm provided by the Hospital Information Branch.

15 Mood and Anxiety Disorder Prescriptions As at April 2008, an estimated 14.8% of people in Belfast North were on prescribed drugs for mood and anxiety disorders.13

A higher proportion of people in Belfast North are estimated to be on prescribed drugs for mood and anxiety disorders when compared to the Northern Ireland estimate of 11.5%.

Belfast North is the Constituency with the highest proportion of people estimated to be on prescribed drugs for mood and anxiety disorders.

This information is not available at ward level.

Chart 10: Estimated proportion of people on prescribed drugs for Mood and Anxiety Disorders by Constituency, April 2008

n ry h h st t ne lley w im ord yle Percentage prescribed moodprescribed Percentage drugs and (%) anxiety ro rone ag tr f o Do y n reland F Ea Ulster nder Sout ng I t t Wes t North h o t T Arm st ra n S Ty d uth Down t st Antrim lfas as Mid ort n & rth A o S a er & N y o S elfa E h Upper BeBann elf h Lagan Va Wes r N B South Antrim B Belfas st Lo w ort a e N E N

Fermanag

Source: NISRA, NINIS (GP practice prescription data for anxiolytic and anti-depressant drugs, DHSSPS)

13 The number of individuals suffering from mood or anxiety disorders is estimated using prescription data by GP practice for anxiolytic and anti-depressant drugs. This data is then attributed to geographical area using the GP practice list.

16 Disability-Related Benefit Recipients In February 2010, there were 17,548 people in Belfast North in receipt of at least one disability-related benefit.14 This equates to 21.0% of all constituents receiving such benefits.

A higher proportion of people living in Belfast North were in receipt of disability- related benefits compared to the Northern Ireland average of 14.6%.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 2 nd highest proportion of disability- related benefit recipients.

The lowest proportions of disability-related benefit recipients were concentrated in the wards of Cavehill (10.3%), Bellevue (16.1%), Abbey (16.6%) and Fortwilliam (16.6%) and the highest proportions were concentrated in the wards of Crumlin (32.2%), New Lodge (30.4%) and Duncairn (26.9%). 15

Chart 11: Proportion of people in receipt of Disability-related Benefits by Constituency, 2010

5 Proportion in (%) of DB receipt

n n e w ley m th im m st l st o l tri u ford erry own a ster y e D d yrone E l Antr D rmagh Fo W n Va on T th d U A t Tyrone st a th d S u a uth An Strangr ast Antri o Mi & lfast Northlf North ag o o E & S Belfast Upper yBan e L S Belfast So N h Wes Be B ag Northern Ireland n Newr East Lona erm F

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Analytical Services Unit, Department for Social Development (DSD))

14 The information is aggregated data from IAD 100% scans of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance data at 1992 ward level. 15 Ward rates are calculated from total population using 2008 mid-year estimates.

17 Births to Teenage Mothers

Proportion of all births which are to teenage mothers In 2008, there were 130 births to teenage mothers. Births to teenage mothers account for 10.2% of all births in Belfast North, although it is worth noting that this figure is influenced by the number of teenagers in the area and so the teenage birth rate (see over) is more accurate for the purposes of comparison between areas.

A higher proportion of births in Belfast North were to teenage mothers compared to the Northern Ireland average of 5.6%.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 2 nd highest proportion of all births which are to teenage mothers.

This information is not available at ward level.

Chart 12: Proportion of all births which are to teenage mothers by Constituency, 2008

4 Proportion of all births (%) 2

n wn ster one own ord est Foyle Antrim Ireland Mid Ul Strangf lfast Northlfast W North Do South D BelfastUpper East Ban East Antrim West Tyr South LaganAntrim Valley NorthBelfast South Be Be Northern Newry & Armagh East Londonderry

Fermanagh & S Tyrone

Source: NISRA, NINIS (GRO)

18 Teenage Birth rate In 2008, the teenage birth rate of Belfast North stood at 30 per 1,000 female persons aged 13-19.

The teenage birth rate was much higher for Belfast North than the overall Northern Ireland rate of 17 per 1,000 female persons aged 13-19.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 2 nd highest teenage birth rate.

This information is not available at ward level.

Chart 13: Teenage Birth Rate per 1,000 females aged 13-19 by Constituency, 2008

10 Birth rate to teenage mothers to teenage Birth rate 5

nd rth rone outh ntrim Foyle derry Ty Antrim rangford st A Mid Ulster & ArmaghSt ndon North Down Upper Bann West South NorthDown Lagan Valley Ea Belfast East BelfastBelfast No West Belfast S gh & S Tyrone South Antrim Northern Irela Newry East Lo

Fermana

Source: NISRA, NINIS (GRO)

19 Quality Outcomes Framework – Disease Prevalence The Quality Outcome Framework (QOF) is a system used to remunerate general practices; disease prevalence data per 1,000 patients is collected and then used within the QOF to deliver a more equitable distribution of payments in the light of different workloads that practices face.16

As at 31 March 2009, there was a higher prevalence of coronary heart disease, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity and epilepsy; and a lower prevalence of hypothyroid and chronic kidney disease amongst patients whose GP practice is located in the Belfast North area compared to GP practices across all of Northern Ireland.

Table 1: Disease Prevalence per 1,000 patients as reported through QOF, 2009 Belfast North All Northern Ireland Patients Patients No. Prevalence No. Prevalence Coronary Heart Disease 6,212 47 75,278 41 All Heart Failure Patients 1,176 9 13,903 8 Stroke 2,414 18 31,063 17 Hypertension 16,810 127 225,093 122 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 3,410 26 29,099 16 Hypothyroid 3,786 29 57,599 31 Cancer 1,423 11 20,741 11 Mental Health 1,131 9 14,407 8 Asthma 7,714 58 104,527 56 Dementia 805 6 9,971 5 Atrial Fibrilation 1,788 13 23,827 13 Obesity (Patients aged 16+) 12,635 119 165,956 113 Diabetes Mellitus (Patients aged 17+) 5,338 51 65,066 45 Epilepsy (Patients aged 18+) 1,147 11 13,983 10 Chronic Kidney Disease (patients aged 18+) 3,459 34 55,150 39 Learning Disabilities (Patients aged 18+) 441 4 6,912 5

Higher than NI* Lower than NI* * by more than 3 Source: NISRA, NINIS (Payment Calculation and Analysis System, DHSSPS)

16 A full set of QOF data tables and explanation of the QOF can be found at http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hss/gp_contracts/gp_contract_qof.htm.

20 3. EDUCATION This section presents information on: • Post-primary pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Need • The highest qualifications of school leavers and • Participation in Further and Higher Education.

Statement of Special Educational Needs In 2008/09, 23.7% of Belfast North post-primary pupils had a Statement of Special Educational Need (SEN) at stages 1-4.

The proportion of post-primary pupils with a SEN at stages 1-4 was much higher for Belfast North than the Northern Ireland proportion of 14.9%.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 2nd highest proportion of pupils with a SEN at stages 1-4.

The lowest proportions of pupils with a SEN at stages 1-4 were concentrated in the wards of Whitehouse (6.5%), Abbey (7.4%) and Fortwilliam (11.7%) while the highest proportions were concentrated in the wards of New Lodge (37.9%), Woodvale (33.9%) and Water Works (31.8%).

Chart 14: Proportion of post-primary pupils with a SEN by Constituency, 2008/09

5 Proportion (%) with 1-4 SEN stages 0

e er rd Foyle

Mid Ulst Strangfoan Valleyuth Down lfast Eastast Northast West East Antrim Upper Bann North Down So Be North Antrim South Antrim Lag ry & Armagh West Tyrone Belfast South Belf Belf Northern Ireland New East Londonderry gh & South Tyron

Fermana

Source: NISRA, NINIS (School Census, Department of Education (DE))

21 Highest Qualifications of School Leavers

School leavers achieving at least two A-levels In 2008/09, 41.1% of Belfast North school leavers achieved at least two A-levels.

A lower proportion of pupils from Belfast North left school with at least two A- levels compared to the overall Northern Ireland figure of 50.6%.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the lowest proportion of school leavers achieving at least two A-levels.

The lowest proportions of school leavers achieving at least two A-levels were concentrated in the wards of Crumlin (5.6%, 3 pupils), Duncairn (7.5%, 3 pupils) and Dunanney (8.3%. 3 pupils) and the highest proportions were concentrated in the wards of Fortwilliam (72.5%), Cavehill (69.4%), and Chichester Park (62.9%).17

Chart 15: Proportion of school leavers achieving at least two A-levels by Constituency, 2008/09

80 70

60 50

40 30 20

Proportion achieving level (%) 10

y t d y n r e er w trim agh rim as for land o one uth n e all lst o North nder m t E Ir Down V Foyle U A Ar Ant ang h Tyrone Tyr r n an t id S lfast lfast West St g M orth D e Upper eBann y & East AntrimBelfas ther Sout a N & B B North Londor South L Wes Belfast S st a Nor E New rmanagh Fe

Source: NISRA, NINIS (School Leavers Survey, DE)

17 Note care should be taken in drawing conclusions from these figures due to the low numbers involved.

22 At least five GCSEs at grades A*-C In 2008/09, 59.7% of Belfast North school leavers achieved at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C.18

A lower proportion of Belfast North school leavers achieved at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C as their highest level of attainment compared to all Northern Ireland school leavers (70.1%).

Belfast North was the Constituency with the lowest proportion of school leavers achieving at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C.

The lowest proportions of school leavers achieving at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C were concentrated in the wards of Duncairn (25.0%), Woodvale (30.2%) and Coole (31.0%) and the highest proportions were concentrated in the wards of Cavehill (88.2%), Fortwilliam (85.0%) and Whitehouse (81.3%).

Chart 16: Proportion of school leavers achieving at least five GCSEs at grades A*- C by Constituency, 2008/09

Proportion achieving level (%) 10

nd r ast orth oyle rone outh r Bann F ntrim Down Strangfordndonderry & Armagh Mid Ulste lfast S Belfast UppeE East A South North Down BelfastBelfast N West North Antrim West TySouth Antrim LaganBe Valley Northern Irela East Lo Newry

Fermanagh & South Tyrone

Source: NISRA, NINIS (School Leavers Survey, DE)

18 Note that this figure includes those who left school with at least two A-levels.

23 Participation in Further Education In 2007/08, there were 6,305 students from Belfast North enrolled in further education.19 This equates to 9.6% of constituents aged 16 and over being enrolled in further education.

There was little difference in the proportion of people aged 16 and over from Belfast North enrolled in further education and the Northern Ireland average of 10.2%.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 8 th lowest proportion of people aged 16 and over enrolled in Further Education.

Further education participation rates were lowest in the wards of Valley (4.9%), Whitehouse (5.1%) and Woodvale (5.5%) and highest in the wards of Chichester Park (10.6%), Coole (9.8%) and Water Works (9.3%).

Chart 17: Proportion of those aged 16+ enrolled in FE by Constituency, 2007/08

2 Proportion aged 16+ enrolled in FE (%) 0

d r y n r m m e le n im i te ast y n wn r r err on rone gfo nt nt d Dow E reland Fo y n t Tyr I r Ba Do A n Valley e h T st A th a as p t st Armagh Stra a Mid Uls ndon S p u & E ou o North Belf U So North AntriS Lag Belfast North Belfast Southh & Belfast West We ag Northern ewry ast L N E an rm e F

Source: NISRA, NINIS (FE Enrolment data, Department for Employment and Learning)

Of all Belfast North students enrolled, 16.5% were full time and 83.5% were part time students, while 55.1% were female and 44.9% were male. In total, 42.8% of those enrolled in further education were aged 26 and over.

19 Further Education can be defined as post-secondary education that is distinct from the education offered in universities.

24 Participation in Higher Education In 2007/08, there were 2,200 students from Belfast North enrolled in higher education.20 This equates to 3.4% of all constituents aged 16 and over being enrolled in higher education.

There was little difference in the proportion of people aged 16 and over from Belfast North enrolled in higher education and the Northern Ireland average of 4.5%.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 2 nd lowest proportion of people aged 16 and over enrolled in higher education.

Higher education participation rates were lowest in the wards of Crumlin (0.6%), Woodvale (0.7%) and Coole (1.0%) and highest in the wards of Cavehill (6.1%), Chichester Park (5.2%) and Castleview (3.9%).

Chart 18: Proportion of those aged 16+ enrolled in HE by Constituency, 2007/08

2 Proportion aged 16+ enrolled in HE (%) 0

t n d r nn m n le th a w agh lley te u m a rone o t East nderry Irelan Uls Foy S er B n V t Antrimast Northast Wesp as rn as lf lf Strangford ndo Mid E e e Up Belf North Do South Dow aga B B North Antri South Antrim L West Ty Belfast st Lo orthe a N E Newry & Ar

Fermanagh & S Tyrone

Source: NISRA, NINIS (HE Enrolment data, DEL)

Of all students enrolled, 65.2% were full time and 34.8% were part time students, while 60.0% were female and 40.0% were male. In total, 37.3% of those enrolled in Higher Education were aged 25 and over.

20 Higher Education can be defined as education at a higher level than secondary school, usually provided in universities.

25 4. THE ECONOMY This section presents information on financial assistance provided by Invest NI as well as information on those completing and subsequently being offered financial assistance through its Start a Business Programme.

Invest NI Assistance In 2008/09, Invest NI provided £7.2 million in financial assistance to companies in Belfast North, accounting for 5.0% of all assistance provided in Northern Ireland during that period.

Belfast North was the Constituency that received the 9 th highest amount of financial assistance in 2008/09.

This information is not available at ward level.

Chart 19: Invest NI financial assistance in £m provided to Companies by Constituency, 2008/09

10 Assistance (£ million) (£ Assistance

n ord rim ster Foyle th Antrim per Ban Strangf lfast Westgan Valley Mid Ul lfast North North DownUp West Tyrone North AntrimBe La East Ant Be South Down Belfast East gh & S TyroneSou Belfast South East Londonderry Newry & Armagh

Fermana

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Invest NI)

26 Start a Business Programme

Participation in the Start a Business Programme In 2008/09, 139 people from Belfast North completed the Invest NI Start a Business Programme.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 4 th lowest number of people completing this programme.

The lowest numbers of participants who completed the training were from the wards of Whitehouse (1), New Lodge (2) and Abbey (2) and the highest numbers were from Chichester Park (17), Ballysillan (15) and Castleview (13).

Chart 20: Number of Invest NI Start a Business Programme participants by Constituency, 2008/09

350

300

250

200

150

No of No of participants 100

n st st m n w a yle m ley ter o e orth l erry ls W E N Fo a D t ngford V U Antrim ra t Antri Antri ast lfas ast th t s dond id orth f e f S a n M N B E agan South Downorth Upper Ban Bel Bel Sou Belfast South L N West Tyrone st Lo a Newry & ArmaghE

Fermanagh & South Tyrone

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Invest NI)

27 Financial Assistance offered to those who completed the Start a Business programme Of those who that completed the Start a Business Programme, 44.6% of participants (62 people) from Belfast North were subsequently offered financial assistance.

A lower proportion of Belfast North participants were subsequently offered financial assistance compared to the Northern Ireland figure of 49.3%.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 5th lowest proportion of participants who were offered financial assistance.

Chart 21: Proportion of Invest NI Start a Business Programme participants who were offered financial assistance by Constituency, 2008/09

Proportion offered assistance (%) Proportionassistance offered 10

er nd alley outh ann agh Foyle Antrim Tyrone st Antrim Strangford Mid Ulst & Armndonderry North Down Upper B Lagan V Belfast NorthEa Belfast East South Down North BelfastWest West Belfast S South Antrim gh & S Tyrone Northern Irela NewryEast Lo

Fermana

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Invest NI)

28 5. EMPLOYMENT This section presents information on the number of employee jobs and employee jobs by sector; the number of redundancies in Belfast North and the unemployment claimant count.

Employee jobs As at 3 September 2007, there were 46,845 employee jobs 21 located in Belfast North, representing 6.6% of all employee jobs in Northern Ireland.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 2 nd highest number of employee jobs located in the area.

The lowest concentrations of employee jobs were in the wards of Castleview (322), Ballysillan (343) and Cavehill (396) and the highest concentrations were in the wards of Duncairn (23,266), New Lodge (4,274) and Water Works (3,171).

Chart 22: No. of employee jobs by Constituency, September 2007

120000

100000

80000

60000

40000 No. of employee jobs

20000

le n ord ter own ls Foy ntrim rth Down er Ban StrangfMid-U lfast West gan Valley East AntrimNo South D Belfast East Upp West Tyrone t LondonderryBe North AntrimLa South A BelfastBelfast North South agh & S Tyrone Eas Newry & Armagh

Ferman

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Census of Employment, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI))

21 The Census of Employment is conducted every two years by means of a postal enquiry of all NI employers and a full response is sought in order to obtain an accurate count of the number of employee jobs at the Census date. It collects information on employees only (the self-employed are excluded) and counts the number of jobs rather than the number of people in these jobs.

29 Employee jobs by Sector In 2007, the majority of employee jobs in Belfast North were in the Services sector (87.9%), followed by manufacturing (7.4%) while 3.6% were in construction.

A higher proportion of employee jobs in Belfast North were in services compared to the proportion of all Northern Ireland jobs of 80.6%.

A lower proportion of employee jobs in Belfast North were in manufacturing compared to the proportion of all Northern Ireland jobs of 12.3%.

A slightly lower proportion of employee jobs in Belfast North were in construction compared to the proportion of all Northern Ireland jobs of 6.2%.

Belfast North is the Constituency with the 4th highest proportion of services jobs, the 4th lowest proportion of manufacturing jobs and the 3 rd lowest proportion of construction jobs.

This information is not available at ward level.

Chart 23: Employee jobs by sector and Constituency, 2007

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

e d im nd outh Foyle Antrim Tyrone st Antr Armagh rth Down Mid-Ulster uth Antrimndonderry & Strangfor Upper Bann No South DownEa North West Lagan Valley Belfast East Belfast North Belfast West gh & S Tyron So Belfast S Northern Irela East Lo Newry

Fermana

Other Construction Manufacturing Services Source: NISRA, NINIS (Census of Employment, DETI)

30 Redundancies In 2009, there were 272 redundancies 22 in Belfast North, representing 5.9% of all redundancies made in Northern Ireland.

The Constituency of Belfast North had the 6 th highest number of redundancies in 2009.

This information is not available at ward level.

Chart 24: No. of redundancies by Constituency, 2009

800

700

600

500

400

300

No. of redundancies 200

100

e n ord ster trim Valley Foyle Armagh donderry Strangf Mid Ul gan lfast Northlfast West North Down South Down Upper Ban East AnBelfast East West TyronSouth AntrimNorth Antrim La Be Be Belfast South ry And East Lon New Fermanagh & S Tyrone

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Claimant Count, DETI)

22 While the figures provided are likely to be an underestimate of total job losses, it is not possible to quantify the extent of the shortfall. Subject to the criteria mentioned above, employers must notify the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment of (a) redundancies proposed and (b) redundancies confirmed. Since all proposed redundancies do not actually take place, the confirmed total provides a better indication of real job losses. Proposed redundancies are notified to the Department using the Advance Notification - HR1 Form. Redundancies do not necessarily equate to job losses, for example, employees who do not qualify for a redundancy package, those on temporary contracts, will not be incorporated into the redundancy figures.

31 Unemployment Claimant Count During the period January – December 2009, there were 2,945 people claiming unemployment-related benefits 23 in Belfast North. This equates to 5.9% of all working age constituents claiming such benefits.

There was little difference in the proportion of working age people claiming unemployment-related benefits in Belfast North and the Northern Ireland figure of 4.5%.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 3rd highest proportion of people claiming such benefits.

The proportions of unemployment-related benefit claimants were lowest in the wards of Cavehill (2.3%), Fortwilliam (3.5%) and Abbey (3.7%) and highest in the wards of Water Works (10.3%), Duncairn (9.7%) and Woodvale (9.4%).

Chart 25: Proportion of working age people claiming unemployment-related benefits by Constituency, 2009

Unemployment-related benefit claimants (%) claimants benefit Unemployment-related 0

y n r h e y h e im im e im rr rt st ll own tr wn t e o gford outh ls Va D n n t East S Ban U ntr yron nd Foyle We h a A Antr r A T o t N n r h st h e d t s st t a uth Do s st nd fa a ga St lf pp Mi o lf a Nort ou Belfas e So U Ea L L S B Nort We Bel Be st Northernewry Ireland & Armag a N E

Fermanagh & S Tyrone

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Claimant Count, DETI)

23 The Claimant Count records the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits. 'Claimants' include the severely disabled claimants, but exclude students seeking vacation work and the temporarily stopped. The claimant count consists of all people claiming JSA at Jobcentre Plus local offices. They must declare that they are out of work, capable of, available for and actively seeking work during the week in which their claim is made.

32 6. HOUSING This section presents information on housing type within Belfast North as well as information on planning applications and decisions in the area.

Housing type In 2008, there were 38,290 properties in Belfast North, representing 5.3% of all properties in Northern Ireland.

A much higher proportion of properties in Belfast North were terraced compared to the Northern Ireland figure (47.3% vs. 30.5%), accounting for the highest proportion of properties in the area.

A higher proportion of properties in Belfast North were apartments (16.4% vs. 8.1%) and a slightly higher proportion were semi-detached (28.0% vs. 25.2%) compared to Northern Ireland as a whole.

A much lower proportion of properties in Belfast North were detached compared to the Northern Ireland figure (8.4% vs. 36.3%), accounting for the lowest proportion of properties in the area.

Charts 26 and 27: Housing type, 2008

Belfast North Northern Ireland 8.1% 16.4%

25.2% 28.0%

8.4%

36.3%

30.5%

47.3%

Apartments Detached Terraced Semi-detached

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Valuation List, Land and Property Services)

33 Planning applications and decisions

Planning applications In 2008/09, there were 542 new planning applications received foe the Belfast North area, representing 2.6% of all new applications in Northern Ireland.24

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 2 nd lowest number of new planning applications in 2008/09.

This information is not available at ward level.

Chart 28: Number of planning applications by Constituency, 2008/09

2500

2000

1500

1000

500 No. of applications received

r est ast wn wn oyle outh F Antrim Tyrone lfast North Strangford ndonderry & Armagh Mid Ulste North Do lfast SUpper Bann Belfast BeW Belfast EastE Antrim Lagan Valley North West South Do Be South Antrim gh & S Tyrone East LoNewry

Fermana

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Planning Service, Department of Environment (DoE))

24 Applications received also include withdrawn applications.

34 Planning Decisions Decisions were made on a total of 585 25 applications during 2008/09, representing 2.4% of all decisions made in Northern Ireland. 26

A lower proportion of applications were approved in Belfast North compared to the Northern Ireland total (89.7% vs. 94.2%).

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 2 nd lowest proportion of approvals in 2008/09.

This information is not available at ward level.

Chart 29: Proportion of planning applications approved by Constituency, 2008/09

88 Proportion (%) approved 86

d n own ord ster Foyle West East Down Armagh lfast Northlfast lfast South Strangf Mid Ul gan Valley BelfastEast AntrimSouth D North Upper Ban Be Be Be t Londonderry South Antrim La West TyroneNorth Antrim Northern Irelan Eas Newry &

Fermanagh & S Tyrone

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Planning Service, DoE)

25 Note that the number of decisions is higher than the number of planning applications received as this includes applications from previous years. 26 Excludes withdrawn applications. The number and per cent of applications approved is based on the number of decisions issued in the same year.

35 7. CRIME This section presents information on the overall recorded crime rate in Belfast North and breaks this down further into violent crime, burglary, theft and criminal damage. Information on anti-social behaviour rates is also presented in this section. These figures relate to where the offence occurred rather than where the offender was from.

Overall Crime rate In 2009/10, a total of 9,412 offences were recorded in Belfast North. This equates to an overall crime rate of 11,273 per 100,000 persons.

The crime rate for Belfast North was much higher than the overall Northern Ireland rate of 6,149 per 100,000 persons.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 2 nd highest crime rate.

Overall crime rates were lowest in the wards of Ballysillan (3,792), Dunanney (4,948) and Cavehill (5,055) and highest in the wards of Duncairn (37,731), New Lodge (21,030) and Water Works (18,894).

Chart 30: Overall crime rate per 100,000 persons by Constituency, 2009/10

14000

12000

10000

8000

6000

Overall Overall Crime rate 4000

2000

nd ord trim outh Foyle Tyrone Antrim rth Down onDerry StrangfMid Ulster & Armagh lfast West No Upper Bann West Lagan ValleyEast AntrimSouth Down North ry Belfast East Be Belfast North gh & S Tyrone South An Belfast S Northern Irela New East Lond

Fermana

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Notifiable Offences Recorded, Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI))

36 Crime Rates by type - violent crime, burglary, theft and criminal damage

Rates of violent crime, burglary, theft and criminal damage were higher in Belfast North than the Northern Ireland rates.

Table 2: Crime Rates by type of crime, 2009/10 Belfast North Northern Ireland Rate Rank* Rate Violent Crime 3,380 2 1,865 Burglary 1,484 2 709 Theft 2,340 3 1,499 Criminal Damage 3,035 1 1,490 *1=highest crime rate, 18=lowest crime rate Source: NINIS

Violent Crime In 2009/10, the violent crime rate for Belfast North was 3,380 per 100,000 persons and was higher than the Northern Ireland rate. Violent crime rates were lowest in the wards of Cavehill (866), Ballysillan (1,281) and Castleview (1,384) and highest in the wards of Duncairn (11,295), New Lodge (6,275) and Water Works (5,144).

Burglary In 2009/10, the burglary rate for Belfast North was 1,484 per 100,000 persons and was higher than the Northern Ireland rate. Burglary rates were lowest in the wards of Crumlin (390), Coole (457) and Dunanney (545) and highest in the wards of Duncairn (5,943), Water Works (2,757) and New Lodge (2,506).

Theft In 2009/10, the theft rate for Belfast North was 2,340 per 100,000 persons and was higher than the Northern Ireland rate. Theft rates were lowest in the wards of Ballysillan (530), Dunanney (545) and Woodvale (647) and highest in the wards of Duncairn (10,259), Valley (8,287) and New Lodge (4,952).

Criminal Damage In 2009/10, the criminal damage rate for Belfast North was 3,035 per 100,000 persons and was higher than the Northern Ireland rate. Criminal damage rates were lowest in the wards of Ballysillan (1,076), Abbey (1,100) and Dunanney (1,316) and highest in the wards of Duncairn (6,658), Water Works (5,698) and New Lodge (5,473).

37 Anti-social Behaviour In 2009/10, there were 6,865 incidents of anti-social behaviour in Belfast North. This equates to a rate of 8,222 per 100,000 persons.

The rate of anti-social behaviour incidents in Belfast North was much higher than the overall Northern Ireland rate of 4,625 per 100,000 persons.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the highest rate of anti-social behaviour incidents.

The lowest rates of anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded in the wards of Ballysillan (3,109), Castleview (3,166) and Coole (3,945) and the highest rates were recorded in the wards of Duncairn (22,244), Water Works (16,406) and Chichester Park (15,127).

Chart 31: Rates of Anti-social Behaviour per 100,000 persons by Constituency, 2009/10

9000

8000

7000

6000

5000

4000

3000

Rate per 100,000 persons per 100,000 Rate 2000

1000

y d e st n m ry th h n lle nn a a r est lster a own a l e D E re W Nort rmagh Down V r B Foyle nd Sou t Tyro d U A h Antrim st o S t an h pe fa StrangfordMi & g p ern I uth Antri nd lfast fas & y Sou North U East AntrimBel h o el West Tyroner La Nort S Lo Be BelfastB gh w st e Nort a na N E erma F

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Anti-social behaviour incidents, PSNI)

38 8. DEPRIVATION AND POVERTY This section presents information from the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2010 and on the number of people claiming benefits.

Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure The Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure (NIMDM) 2010 identifies small concentrations of multiple deprivation across Northern Ireland. Summaries at Constituency level consisting of five measures are also produced. The following contains the summary information for Belfast North.

Extent Belfast North has an Extent of 59. This means that 59% of people living in Belfast North live in the most deprived 27 Super Output Areas 28 in Northern Ireland. Belfast North is the Constituency ranked 2 nd highest in terms of Extent.

Income Deprivation Scale The Income Deprivation Scale shows that there are 34,825 people in Belfast North experiencing Income Deprivation. Belfast North is the Constituency ranked 3 out of 18 on this measure of deprivation.

Percentage of the total population Income Deprived 42% of those living in Belfast North are income deprived. Belfast North is ranked 2 out of 18 on this measure of deprivation.

Employment Deprivation Scale The Employment Deprivation Scale shows that 9,283 people in Belfast North are experiencing employment deprivation. Belfast North is ranked 4 out of 18 on this measure of deprivation.

Percentage of working age population Employment Deprived 20% of working age people in Belfast North are employment deprived. Belfast North is ranked 2 out of 18 on this measure of deprivation.

27 Most deprived is defined as within the first 30% most deprived areas, including all of the population in the 10% most deprived SOAs, and a proportion of the population from the next two deciles (i.e. the next 20%) on a sliding scale. 28 A geography designed for the collection of small area statistics with similar population sizes.

39 Table 3: NIMDM 2010 for the Constituency of Belfast North Measure Score Rank* Extent 59 2 Income Deprived Scale 34,825 3 % of total population Income Deprived 42 2 Employment Deprived Scale 9,283 4 % of working age population Employment Deprived 20 2 *1=most deprived, 18=least deprived Source: NISRA, NINIS (Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure (NIMDM, 2010)

Deprivation within Belfast North The most deprived areas in Belfast North covered the wards of Ardoyne, Crumlin, Dunanney, Duncairn, New Lodge, Water Works and Woodvale as well as parts of Cliftonville and Legoniel which were ranked in the 10% most deprived areas in Northern Ireland.

The least deprived area in Belfast North was within the ward of Cavehill and was ranked in the 10% least deprived areas in Northern Ireland.

Source: NISRA, NINIS (NIMDM 2010)

40 Benefit Claimants As at April 2010, 32,532 people in Belfast North were claiming at least one benefit. This equates to 49.6% of all constituents aged 16 and over claiming least one benefit.

A much higher proportion of people aged 16 and over living in Belfast North were claiming at least one benefit compared to the Northern Ireland figure of 37.6%.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 2 nd highest proportion of the people aged 16 and over claiming at least one benefit.

The lowest proportions of people aged 16 and over claiming at least one benefit were concentrated in the wards of Cavehill (25.7%), Ballysillan (31.4%) and Castleview (33.2%) and the highest proportions were concentrated in the wards of New Lodge (51.1%), Crumlin (50.9%) and Whitehouse (48.1%). 29

Chart 32: Proportion of the population aged 16+ claiming at least one benefit, April 2010

10 Proportion claiming (%) benefits

th y r rim ast ou Foyle Ant Tyrone st Antrim StrangfordMid Ulste ndonderry & Armagh South DownEa North DownUpper Bann Belfast E Belfast S South AntrimLagan Valle North West BelfastBelfast North West Northernst IrelandLo Ea Newry

Fermanagh & S Tyrone

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Social Security Benefits data, DSD)

29 Ward figures calculated as a proportion of total population using 2008 mid-year estimates.

41 Income support As at February 2010, there were 8,444 people claiming Income Support. This equates to 17.1% of all working age constituents claiming such benefits.

A higher proportion of working age people living in Belfast North were claiming Income Support compared to the Northern Ireland figure of 8.0%.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the 2 nd highest proportion of Income Support claimants.

The lowest proportions of Income Support claimants were concentrated in the wards of Cavehill (1.6%), Fortwilliam (4.1%) and Abbey (4.1%) and highest in the wards of New Lodge (19.8%), Ardoyne (16.7%) and Crumlin (15.4%). 30

Chart 33: Proportion of working age people claiming Income Support, February 2010

Proportion claiming IS (%) 5

m n ord ster magh Foyle er Ban Strangfgan Valley Mid Ul lfast Northlfast West North Down East Antrim South Down Upp Belfast East La South Antrim North BelfastAntri South West Tyrone Be Be agh & S Tyrone st LondonderryNorthern Ireland Ea Newry & Ar

Ferman

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Social Security Benefits data, DSD)

30 Ward figures calculated as a proportion of total population using 2008 mid-year estimates.

42 Housing Benefit As at May 2009, there were 14,421 people claiming Housing Benefit. This equates to 22.0% of all constituents aged 16 and over claiming this benefit.

A higher proportion of people aged 16 and over living in Belfast North were claiming Housing Benefit compared to the Northern Ireland figure of 10.0%.

Belfast North was the Constituency with the highest proportion of Housing Benefit claimants.

The lowest proportions of Housing Benefit claimants were concentrated in the wards of Cavehill (1.9%), Fortwilliam (6.7%) and Abbey (7.1%) and the highest proportions were concentrated in the wards of Crumlin (31.2%), New Lodge (30.5%) and Duncairn (29.9%). 31

Chart 34: Proportion of those aged 16+ claiming Housing Benefit by Constituency, May 2009

Proportion claiming (%) HB 5

n ord ster Foyle Tyrone per Banrn Ireland gan Valley StrangfMid Ul lfast Westlfast North North Down South DownEast Antrim Up Belfast East La South Antrim North Antrim Belfast WestSouth Tyrone Be Be Northe Newry & Armagh East Londonderry

Fermanagh & S

Source: NISRA, NINIS (Housing Benefit data, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, aggregated by DSD)

31 Ward figures calculated as a proportion of total population using 2008 mid-year estimates.

43 9. ELECTION RESULTS This section presents information on the 2010 Westminster Election Results and the 2007 Assembly Election Results.

2010 Westminster Election Results In Belfast North, 65,504 people were eligible to vote in the 2010 Westminster Elections. 36,993 valid votes were cast, a turnout of 56.5%.32 Turnout for Belfast North was similar to the Northern Ireland turnout of 56.7%. The Democratic Unionist Party received the majority of votes in the Constituency with 14,812 votes. As a result, Nigel Dodds, was elected to represent Belfast North.

Chart 35: 2010 Westminster Election Results

5% 1% 8%

Nigel Dodds, DUP

Gerry Kelly, Sinn Féin 12% 40%

Alban Maginness, SDLP

Fred Cobain, UCUNF

William Webb, Alliance Party

Martin McAuley, Independent

34%

Candidate (*elected) Votes Party Nigel Dodds* 14,812 Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Gerry Kelly 12,588 Sinn Féin Alban Maginness 4,544 Social Democratic & Labour Party (SDLP) Fred Cobain 2,837 Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - New Force William Webb 1,809 Alliance Party Martin McAuley 403 Independent Source: The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland

32 Excludes invalid votes, n = 240.

44 2007 Assembly Election Results In Belfast North, 49,372 people were eligible to vote in the 2007 Assembly Elections. 29,175 valid votes were cast, a turnout of 59.1%.33 Turnout for Belfast North was lower than the Northern Ireland turnout of 62.3%. The DUP and Sinn Féin won 2 seats each while the SDLP and the UUP won 1 seat each.

Chart 36: 2007 Assembly Election Results

2% 2% 2% 4%

8% DUP 37% Sinn Féin SDLP UUP 14% Independent Green Alliance Other

31%

Candidate (*elected) 1st pref votes Party Nigel Dodds* 6,973 DUP Gerry Kelly* 5,414 Sinn Féin Carál Ní Chuilín* 3,680 Sinn Féin Fred Cobain* 2,498 Ulster Unionist Party Nelson McCausland* 2,462 DUP Alban Maginness* 2,212 SDLP Pat Convery 1,868 SDLP William Humphrey 1,673 DUP Raymond McCord 1,320 Independent Unionist Peter Emerson 590 Green Party Thomas McCullough 486 Alliance Party Robert McCartney 360 United Kingdom Unionist Party John Lavery 139 Workers Party Rainbow George 40 Make Politicians History Source: The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland

33 Excludes invalid votes, n = 352.

This document has been produced by Research & Library Services for the benefit of Assembly members and their staff.

For further information please contact:

Research & Library Services Northern Ireland Assembly Stormont Belfast BT4 3XX Phone: 028 9041 8320 Fax: 028 9052 1922