This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6164780.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Many council estates 'improving' | Many council estates 'improving' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A series of council estates dating back to the 1980s have "turned the tide" of deprivation, according to a report. | A series of council estates dating back to the 1980s have "turned the tide" of deprivation, according to a report. |
| London School of Economics researchers, on behalf of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), found a reduction in unemployment and empty housing. | London School of Economics researchers, on behalf of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), found a reduction in unemployment and empty housing. |
| But they warned significant gaps still exist between the estates they analysed in England and national norms. | But they warned significant gaps still exist between the estates they analysed in England and national norms. |
| Changes on 20 estates were monitored in London, the Midlands, the North East and the North West over 25 years. | Changes on 20 estates were monitored in London, the Midlands, the North East and the North West over 25 years. |
| The report refers to improved environmental and education standards, as well as an end to neglected, litter-strewn areas and - in most cases - speedier housing repair services. | The report refers to improved environmental and education standards, as well as an end to neglected, litter-strewn areas and - in most cases - speedier housing repair services. |
| Most of the estates have turned from a vicious circle of deprivation and stigma to a virtuous circle of improved popularity and easier management Rebecca TunstallReport author Planning needs to change The report: Twenty-five years on [2MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | Most of the estates have turned from a vicious circle of deprivation and stigma to a virtuous circle of improved popularity and easier management Rebecca TunstallReport author Planning needs to change The report: Twenty-five years on [2MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| But researchers have warned that fully closing the gap with national norms will take long-term funding and commitment and is likely to take more than 10 to 20 years. | But researchers have warned that fully closing the gap with national norms will take long-term funding and commitment and is likely to take more than 10 to 20 years. |
| They found that on 16 of the 20 sites, housing managers and residents felt there were improvements between 1980 and 1995, which had continued to last year. | They found that on 16 of the 20 sites, housing managers and residents felt there were improvements between 1980 and 1995, which had continued to last year. |
| But progress in the remaining four had halted or reversed, with two of the estates facing major redevelopment. | But progress in the remaining four had halted or reversed, with two of the estates facing major redevelopment. |
| Researchers found that the concentration of unemployed residents and lone-parent families increased sharply between 1981 and 1991. | Researchers found that the concentration of unemployed residents and lone-parent families increased sharply between 1981 and 1991. |
| But the report states that, since 1991, unemployment has dropped from 34% to 13% in 2001, while concentrations of lone-parent households and children also decreased. | But the report states that, since 1991, unemployment has dropped from 34% to 13% in 2001, while concentrations of lone-parent households and children also decreased. |
| 'Economically inactive' | 'Economically inactive' |
| And GCSE performance at estate-linked secondary schools improved between 1994 and 2004 - which is a faster rate than national or local authority averages. | And GCSE performance at estate-linked secondary schools improved between 1994 and 2004 - which is a faster rate than national or local authority averages. |
| Even problematic estates can be improved and become popular, which suggests caution in criticising council housing and recommending demolition JRF director Lord Richard Best | Even problematic estates can be improved and become popular, which suggests caution in criticising council housing and recommending demolition JRF director Lord Richard Best |
| But the report also highlighted a number of failings. | But the report also highlighted a number of failings. |
| It found the health of residents remained poorer than those in other forms of housing. | It found the health of residents remained poorer than those in other forms of housing. |
| Furthermore, the proportion who were "economically inactive" - neither working nor looking for a job - had also increased. | Furthermore, the proportion who were "economically inactive" - neither working nor looking for a job - had also increased. |
| And, although concerns over crime appeared to have dropped, worries about anti-social behaviour were increasing. | And, although concerns over crime appeared to have dropped, worries about anti-social behaviour were increasing. |
| Improvements were the result of regeneration funding, intensive local management and the involvement of resident groups. | Improvements were the result of regeneration funding, intensive local management and the involvement of resident groups. |
| 'Virtuous circle' | 'Virtuous circle' |
| The research suggested the progress was influenced by national trends of rising employment, falling crime, increasing house prices, and rising educational achievement. | The research suggested the progress was influenced by national trends of rising employment, falling crime, increasing house prices, and rising educational achievement. |
| Rebecca Tunstall, the report's author, said: "Most of the estates have turned from a vicious circle of deprivation and stigma to a virtuous circle of improved popularity and easier management." | Rebecca Tunstall, the report's author, said: "Most of the estates have turned from a vicious circle of deprivation and stigma to a virtuous circle of improved popularity and easier management." |
| We will continue to deliver further improvements Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly | We will continue to deliver further improvements Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly |
| But she added: "A quarter of a century of progress must not be threatened by complacency or a shift of attention from these estates and others like them." | But she added: "A quarter of a century of progress must not be threatened by complacency or a shift of attention from these estates and others like them." |
| JRF director Lord Richard Best said the report "shows that even problematic estates can be improved and become popular, which suggests caution in criticising council housing and recommending demolition". | JRF director Lord Richard Best said the report "shows that even problematic estates can be improved and become popular, which suggests caution in criticising council housing and recommending demolition". |
| 'Long-term challenges' | 'Long-term challenges' |
| Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said the report showed "a major turnaround" where council estates were concerned, although she also warned against complacency. | Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said the report showed "a major turnaround" where council estates were concerned, although she also warned against complacency. |
| She said building on improvements would provide "complex long-term challenges". | She said building on improvements would provide "complex long-term challenges". |
| "Through sustained investment in schools, housing, Sure Start, the local environment, measures to reduce anti-social behaviour and government's unshakeable commitment, we will continue to deliver further improvements," Ms Kelly added. | "Through sustained investment in schools, housing, Sure Start, the local environment, measures to reduce anti-social behaviour and government's unshakeable commitment, we will continue to deliver further improvements," Ms Kelly added. |
| The JRF said the names of the 20 estates examined would not be disclosed for reasons of confidentiality. | The JRF said the names of the 20 estates examined would not be disclosed for reasons of confidentiality. |
| Is your council estate improving? Or is it beyond repair? Do you have any pictures of your estate? If so, you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk | |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |