What do people think of Wigan Borough?
The Wigan Citizens’ Panel (around 950 people) was surveyed in 2001, 2004 and again in 2007. Here are some comparisons of the three surveys:
What do people think of Wigan Borough? 2001 - 2007
|
2001 (% agree) |
2004 (% agree) |
2007 (% agree) |
| Wigan Borough is a good place to live |
54 |
70 |
87 |
| Wigan Borough has strong public services |
30 |
55 |
79 |
| Wigan Borough has a strong community spirit |
25 |
43 |
61 |
| Wigan Borough is a good place to do business |
35 |
41 |
59 |
| Proud to live in Wigan Borough |
Not asked |
64 |
60 |
| Wigan is the same or better than other Borough's in the North West |
Not asked |
59 |
69 |
How key issues are changing in Wigan Borough (2007) (%)
|
Better |
About the same |
Worse |
Net rating |
| Education |
35 |
44 |
15 |
+20 |
| Health |
43 |
39 |
13 |
+30 |
| Environment |
35 |
43 |
14 |
+21 |
| Culture |
35 |
46 |
11 |
+24 |
| Economy |
33 |
46 |
16 |
+17 |
| Safe, clean neighbourhoods |
24 |
49 |
21 |
+3 |
| Standard of living |
30 |
45 |
20 |
+10 |
| Transport |
19 |
38 |
36 |
-17 |
Sample base - 954
Key facts and figures about Wigan
- Wigan is the largest Borough in Greater Manchester
- The Wigan Borough covers 77 square miles
- 75% of land is open space or countryside
- The Borough's population has fallen from 307,000 (1991 census) to 301,415 (2001 census)
- There are 125,096 households in the Borough (2001 census)
- Wigan is the 67th largest economy out of 408 boroughs nationwide
- 82% of local people travel to work by car (citizen's panel)
- 14% of people travel to work by public transport (citizen's panel)
- 17% of people walk or bicycle to work (citizen's panel)
- Average life expectancy is 75.1 years for males and 79.4 years for females (NCHOD)
- 28% of all households have no access to a car or van (2001 census)
- 38% of the working age population are qualified below NVQ level 2 (Annual Population Survey, NOMIS)
- Only 20% of working age population are qualified to NVQ level 4 or above (Annual Population Survey, NOMIS)
- Wigan is the safest place in Greater Manchester
- One quarter of the workforce have poor literacy and numeracy
- 28% of the working age population are not in paid employment (even though they may not be registered unemployed)
- The population is getting older - 14% are aged over 65 (census 2001)
- …and yet, we have a younger population than you might think; the average age locally is 38
- 10% of households have lone parents
- 22% of local people have a limiting long term illness (2001 census)
- Average gross earnings are £19,500 per year (about £30 week less than regional average)
- Employment offering advancement and training is well below average
- Wigan is the 27th most affordable local authority district for housing in the country
- 11.2% of people provide unpaid care to look after family-members, friends or neighbours in poor health or old age (2001 census)
- Wigan Borough, believe it or not, has better than average weather for the region!
Key challenges
- How can we increase the number of jobs with prospects and training?
- How can we ensure equal access to jobs and training?
- How do we improve health in Wigan?
- How do we improve the quality of the local environment?
- How do we encourage the use of public transport?
