Barnet ranks mid-table in London community connection study

Barnet has been placed in the middle of London's boroughs for community connection, according to new research. The borough achieved a score of 50 out of 100 in a study that assessed neighbourhood ties across the capital. This places Barnet in the mid-range of the 32 London boroughs analysed.

Research methodology

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The National Conversation research is based on official government data, including information on loneliness, neighbourly trust, pride in one's area, and participation in volunteering and civic life. This data was used to assign each of England's 296 local authorities a score out of 100. The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion is also conducting a 10-minute survey to gather residents' perspectives on their local areas.

London borough rankings

Richmond-upon-Thames recorded the highest score in London, achieving 91 out of 100 and ranking fifth nationally. The research indicated that only 3.3 percent of its residents often or always feel lonely, and 77 percent feel a sense of belonging to their neighbourhood. At the lower end of the scale, Barking and Dagenham scored 8 out of 100, ranking last among all English local authorities. In this borough, 58.3 percent of residents feel they belong to their neighbourhood, and only 21 percent agree that many of their neighbours can be trusted.

Other London boroughs included in the ranking were Bromley with 62/100, Kingston-upon-Thames and Westminster both with 58/100, and Wandsworth with 55/100. Further down the list, Camden scored 54/100, Hackney and Southwark both scored 49/100, and Lambeth and Waltham Forest achieved 48/100.

Contributing to the research

Jon Cruddas, co-chair of the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, stated that government statistics alone do not capture the full picture of community connection. He highlighted the importance of the survey in sparking conversation and gathering residents' views on their areas. The commission aims to build a more comprehensive understanding of community cohesion across England through these contributions.