Monitoring Poverty in Greater Manchester: Key Data Sources & Indicators

Key Data Sources & Indicators

Understanding and tackling poverty effectively requires good data. Below is a selection of trusted sources and indicators to support decision-making, strategy development, and community action.

 

Area-Based Deprivation

Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)

Income and Employment

Office for National Statistics (ONS)

  • Data on household income, employment, and benefits.
  • Includes annual surveys and labour market statistics.
  • Source: https://www.ons.gov.uk

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Statistics

Citizens Advice

Children and Families

Free School Meals Eligibility

  • Local data on child poverty levels by school and ward.
  • Useful for mapping need and targeting family support services.

 

Local Authority Child Poverty Dashboards

  • e.g. Salford, Manchester, and Trafford regularly publish detailed reports and analysis.


Housing and Living Costs

Shelter and Crisis Housing Data

 

Fuel Poverty and Cost of Living Reports

  • Published by BEIS, ONS, and regional think tanks.
  • Includes energy costs, inflation, and basic living costs.

Food and Essentials

Trussell Trust Foodbank Network

 

The Food Foundation

 

Regional and Local Strategy Data

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

Lived Experience and Community Insight

Poverty Truth Commission, Community Surveys

  • Community-led research and participatory data gathering.
  • Vital for understanding the human impact and identifying meaningful solutions.

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