The Rising ‘Posh-Poor Divide’: The Way Affluence and Hardship Are Found Cheek by Jowl in England.
Within a postwar estate known as ‘The Nunny’, residents live in homes just a few metres from their wealthier counterparts in nearby Scartho. A six-foot-tall wall literally separates the two communities in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, blocking off roads and walkways that previously linked them.
“It’s the divide between rich and poor,” remarked a resident, aged 37. “It’s been like this for as long as I’ve known. I don’t think they’ll bring it down because I suspect they’ll want to associate with us.”
A Stark Pattern Across the Country
Data from government figures shows the extent of disparity often exists, sometimes over nothing more than a short distance of tarmac, a line of hedges or a wall. Decades of austerity and lack of funding mean a majority of councils now contain a locality ranking as one of the most deprived in the country.
The geographical widening of poverty has led to a sharp increase in the number of places where disadvantaged and affluent people find themselves living side by side. In 2019, just 65 of the most deprived areas adjoined one of the wealthiest. That figure rose to 119 in the latest data.
A Barrier Which Does More Than Separate Land
In Grimsby, the divide is the biggest in the country and starkly obvious. The barrier is much more than a metaphorical division; it causes tangible problems for daily routines.
- The school commute that should take 15-20 minutes become an sixty-minute journey.
- Access to key amenities like grocery stores, educational facilities and employment centres is hindered.
- The site can attract antisocial behaviour, with reports of litter being thrown over the wall and other issues.
“You try to maintain a nice house and nice garden, and then you live opposite that,” noted one resident, motioning at the rusted metal wall.
Community Spirit Amidst Hardship
At a local community centre, workers emphasise that support transcends postcodes. “Where you live is not a reliable indicator of your personal struggles,” explained director Tracey Good.
Despite ranking in the most deprived 10% for multiple deprivation indicators, Nunsthorpe retains a fierce loyalty and feeling of community among its inhabitants. Meanwhile, the neighbouring area ranks among the most prosperous 10% overall.
A Similar Story: An Estate in Kent
This pattern is mirrored nationally. The Stanhope estate in Kent, a mid-century housing development, is in the most disadvantaged tenth of neighbourhoods in England. It is closely bordered by large detached homes built in the 2000s that are in the wealthiest tenth for employment and quality of surroundings.
“They might have larger properties, but here there’s more community,” commented a long-term resident, aged 63. “You’ll probably find a lot of people over there never even talk to each other.”
The economic divide is evident: an typical family home costs about £275,000 on the estate, while on the other side equivalent homes fetch about £410,000.
Residents speak of a palpable sense of neglect. “This part of the community gets ignored,” stated resident Susan. “In this area our facilities have gradually disappeared, and most of the community problems here are related to poverty.”
The increase in these ‘inequality borders’ presents a picture of an ever more segregated England, where prosperity and deprivation are frequently awkwardly in close proximity.