St Helens ranked well below the national average in 'social class'

Using data from the 2021 Census, which provides information about all local authorities and households across England and Wales, researchers have determined the number of households in each social class across the country.

With a proud industrial history but high levels of deprivation, the data shows that St Helens has a much lower number of households in the highest social class, and a much higher number of households in the lowest social class, compared with the national average.

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Researchers determine social class into four categories, including AB which are households with at least one person with a higher or intermediate managerial, administrative, and professional occupation.

C1 is determined as households with supervisory, clerical, and junior managerial, administrative and professional occupations, while C2 is classified as homes with skilled manual occupations.

DE, which is determined as the lowest social class grade, is classified as households with semi-skilled and unskilled manual occupations, unemployed and lowest-grade occupations.

What are the social class grades in St Helens?

St Helens is well known for its industrial history (Image: Stock)

In the adult working population in St Helens, the Office for National Statistics data shows that 24,341 households are ranked as being in the highest AB social class grade.

Out of a total of 141,105 applicable households across the borough, this is 17.3% of the population, or around one in six households.

This figure is well below the England and Wales average of 23.3%.

The Office for National Statistics shows that the number of St Helens households in the C1 social class is 44,940 (31.8%). This is just lower than the England and Wales average of 32.8%.

The number of St Helens households in C2 social class is 32,786 (23.2%). This is just higher than the England and Wales average of 21.3%.

The number of St Helens households in the lowest social class of DE is 39,038 (27.7%). This is much higher than the England and Wales average of 22.6%.

Social class figures match deprivation data

While these statistics are concerning, they are perhaps not surprising as St Helens was ranked as the 26th most deprived local authority in England (out of 317) in the Government's National Indices of Deprivation in 2019.

The report also showed how the borough contained 29 neighbourhoods classed as the 10% most deprived across the country.

Aware of the challenges facing the borough, St Helens Council approved an 'Inclusive Growth Strategy' earlier this year in an attempt to reverse these trends and bring the figures more in line with the national average.

The regeneration of the town centre is part of the council's growth strategy, aiming to provide new jobs and opportunities, as well as higher quality homes and workspaces for local residents.

Council 'recognises challenges' in plans to reverse figures

Cllr Kate Groucutt (inside left) and the council have approved a growth strategy plan (Image: St Helens Council)

Speaking about the social class figures, Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Economy, Business and Skills, said: 

“We recognise the challenges facing St Helens Borough and many local authority areas across the country.

"In response to this, Cabinet approved our Inclusive Growth Strategy in January this year, recognising that a growing economy that supports an improvement in living standards for all our communities is more important than ever. 

“There are numerous growth and investment projects underway or forthcoming, supported by the adoption of our Local Plan to 2037.

"This includes the regeneration of our town centres, supported by English Cities Fund Partnership as well as our Towns Fund investment which will create new jobs and spaces for entrepreneurs, new facilities for learning alongside new public realm. 

“Our Inclusive Growth Strategy details how we will connect local people and businesses to the array of new and existing opportunities, with a range of positive impacts on socio-economic measures and data over the coming years. 

“These exciting growth and investment programmes providing residents and businesses with great opportunities are enhanced by the Social Value offered by contractors working on these projects. 

"This includes local apprenticeships, as well as a focus on ensuring local businesses are engaged wherever possible.

"We will continue to push these opportunities for our residents and businesses in the delivery of our Inclusive Growth Strategy.”