Impact of COVID-19

In North Tyneside, a fifth of residents live in the 20% most deprived areas in England. Deprivation is closely linked to poor health outcomes and educational attainment. There is an 11-year gap in average life expectancy in North Tyneside between the most and least deprived areas. During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, infection and mortality rates have been higher in ‘deprived’ areas. The vaccination take-up rate is lower in ‘deprived areas’.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Kingdom has seen its economy retract. From December 2020 to February 2021, unemployment across the country was at its highest level since 2016 and this is expected to rise by the end of 2021. Throughout the pandemic, North Tyneside has also seen unemployment rates rise, with 24-year-olds being disproportionately affected. Unemployment benefit claims for the working age population in North Tyneside almost doubled from March 2020 to March 2021, rising from 3.8% to 6.3%, suggesting people are struggling financially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is the borough’s more deprived wards, such as Riverside, Chirton, Howdon and Wallsend that have experienced higher levels of unemployment benefit claims over the past 12 months.

There has also been a 90% increase in Universal Credit claimants and, as of April 2021, there are 19,401 claimants in North Tyneside, compared to 8,182 in September 2019. The number of those claiming Universal Credit increased sharply in April 2020 and has continued to rise gradually.

Employments furloughed on the government’s Job Retention Scheme peaked in July 2020, at 28,000 employments, mostly in hospitality, construction, arts, entertainment and recreation. Residents under the age of 30 and those with a household income of less than £10,000 were more likely to be furloughed than other residents.

Food poverty in North Tyneside was becoming an increasing issue before the pandemic, with 8% of residents struggling to afford food, but in the southern area of the borough this increased to 14% of residents.

Since the start of the pandemic, the number of pupils accessing free school meals increased to over 7,000 children, but reports from local charities state that families just below the qualifying threshold for free school meals are also struggling.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, child poverty had shown a significant increase and is likely to increase further. Children living in relative low-income families in North Tyneside increased to 22% in 2019/20, increasing year on year from 14% in 2014/15, while children living in absolute low-income families had increased to 19% in 2019/20, from 15% in 2014/15.

Subsequently, a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and a long-term recovery action plan are needed to focus on addressing health inequalities.