Summary information on the Indices of Deprivation 2007

The ‘Indices of Deprivation’ (IoD) is produced by central Government to provide details of deprivation within specific communities / areas across the country.  These areas are technically known as ‘Super Output Areas’ (SOAs).

In total, England is made up of 32,482 SOAs, with 476 of these making up Leeds.  The rankings are listed from 1 to 32,482, with 1 being the most deprived and 32,482 being the least deprived.  For example, Leeds’ most deprived SOA is ranked 113 within the national Index of Multiple Deprivation.

The IoD provides details on seven separate aspects of deprivation.  These are:

• Income deprivation

• Employment deprivation

• Health deprivation and disability

• Education, Skills and Training deprivation

• Barriers to Housing and Services

• Living Environment Deprivation

• Crime

The IoD examines these aspects of deprivation and provides a score and a rank for each SOA.  It is these scores and rankings which provide the information for the national Index of Multiple Deprivation.

The IoD is an important tool for identifying areas of greatest need and has been used repeatedly by Government in the allocation of discretionary funding to the most deprived areas.