Equality Scheme: 2020-2024

Housing

In 2018 the average property sale price was £244,903 (an increase of 3.1% on the previous year).This is 10 times the average residential earnings.

High demand for housing reduces affordability for residents on average earnings. Housing affordability is an even greater problem in more rural wards where the housing supply is further limited.

Low Wage Economy

Torridge has one of the lowest average weekly earnings of any district in the UK. In Torridge 40.5% of workers earn below the living wage (compared to 22.8% nationally).

Health Inequalities

Hospital admissions for self-harm in Torridge are 40% higher than the average for England.

The suicide rate in Torridge is 29% higher than the average for England.

Estimated levels of adult excess weight are higher in Torridge than the English average.

Deprivation

The overall national indices of Multiple Deprivation shows Torridge ranked 67 (out of 326) most deprived local authority in England, and the most deprived of the Devon districts.

Rural Deprivation

Torridge is predominately rural and is officially classified as 'Rural 80' with at least 80% of the population living in rural settlements and larger market towns.

For Torridge residents the average travel time (public transport/walking) to the nearest services is 36.8 minutes.

On average public transport/walking times to key services are double the time in Torridge than in England, cycling times are 80% higher in Torridge than in England, and driving times are 24% higher in Torridge than in England.

Fuel Poverty

A household is said to be in fuel poverty if they have required domestic fuel costs that are above the national median level and, if they were to spend that amount, they would be left with a residual income below the official poverty line. 12.6% of homes in Torridge are in fuel poverty which is in the highest 10% of 326 local authority areas.