A Rising ‘Posh-Poor Divide’: The Way Affluence and Deprivation Now Sit Side by Side in Across England.

In a postwar estate known as ‘The Nunny’, inhabitants occupy homes only a few metres from their wealthier neighbours in nearby Scartho village. A six-foot-tall barricade physically divides the two areas in the town of Grimsby, sealing off roads and walkways that previously linked them.

“This is the divide between rich and poor,” said a resident, 37. “It has been there since I’ve known. I don’t think they’ll bring it down because I don’t think they’ll want to associate with us.”

A Stark Pattern Across the Country

Analysis of official statistics reveals the extent of inequality can run, at times over little more than a short distance of tarmac, a line of hedges or a barrier. Years of budget cuts and lack of funding have led to a situation where almost two-thirds of local authorities now contain a neighbourhood ranking as one of the most deprived in the nation.

The spread of deprivation has led to a sharp rise in the quantity of places where disadvantaged and well-off people end up living side by side. In 2019, only 65 of the poorest neighbourhoods bordered one of the wealthiest. That figure rose to 119 in the latest data.

A Wall That Does More Than Separate Land

At this Lincolnshire site, the divide is the biggest in the UK and starkly obvious. The wall is much more than a metaphorical divide; it causes very real difficulties for everyday life.

• School runs that should take a quarter of an hour turn into an hour-long detour.
• Reaching important amenities like supermarkets, educational facilities and care homes is hindered.
• The site often sees antisocial behaviour, with instances of rubbish being thrown over the wall and other issues.

“People strive to have a well-kept home and garden, and then you reside facing that,” said one local, motioning at the rusted metal wall.

Community Spirit Amidst Hardship

At Centre4, staff emphasise that need does not recognise postcodes. “Where you live doesn’t necessarily indicate your personal struggles,” explained chief executive Tracey Good.

Despite being placed in the most deprived 10% for multiple deprivation indicators, Nunsthorpe retains a strong sense and sense of community among its residents. By contrast, Scartho is classified among the most prosperous 10% overall.

Echoes Elsewhere: Stanhope in Ashford

This phenomenon is repeated across the country. The Stanhope area in Ashford, Kent, a 1960s overspill estate, is in the 10% most deprived of neighbourhoods in the country. It is closely bordered by spacious detached homes built in the 2000s that are in the top 10% for employment and living environment.

“They might have bigger houses, but here there’s more community,” commented Phil Hockley, 63. “You’ll probably find many people over there don’t even speak to each other.”

The financial divide is evident: an typical family home sells for about £275,000 on the Stanhope estate, while on the other side equivalent homes go for about £410,000.

Locals describe a tangible sense of neglect. “Our neighbourhood is neglected,” stated resident Susan. “In this area our amenities have slowly been taken away, and the majority of the community problems here are related to poverty.”

The increase in these ‘deprivation divides’ paints a picture of an ever more divided England, where wealth and deprivation are often awkwardly close neighbours.