A Tale of Two Cities: The Sheffield Project

The Social and Spatial Inequalities Research Group at the University of Sheffield's Geography Department has carried out research into the changing social geography of Sheffield. The research was commissioned by Sheffield Brightside MP David Blunkett. The researchers analysed a wide range of indicators, obtained from a variety of sources, including South Yorkshire´s Local Area Statistics On-line Service (LASOS), NHS Sheffield and Sheffield City Council, as well as national data sources such as the Office for National Statistics, Neighbourhood Statistics and HM Land Registry. The report finds that many of the historical inequalities across Sheffield persist, and have in some cases, despite both local and central government interventions, increased. The report looks at inequalities in Sheffield from the late 1960s/early 1970s to as near to the present day as possible. The report highlights the divides which exist between the best-off and least well-off areas of the city. For instance, the report shows the differences between the Hallam constituency compared to the north-east of the city – where fewer children stay on at school, more residents live in Council Tax Band A properties (99% of those living in Shiregreen, for example), there is a greater likelihood of being a victim of burglary and life expectancy is below the Sheffield average.