Covid lockdowns had 'catastrophic effect' on deprived communities

Published last month, the Centre for Social Justice's 'Two Nations: The State of Poverty in the UK' explains that covid lockdowns saw large jumps in domestic abuse calls, mental health and addiction problems, and working benefits claims.

As those in deprived neighbourhoods are usually in more insecure housing and jobs, these issues are often felt more acutely and the report states that “there is a growing gap between those who can get by and those stuck at the bottom.”

READ > 12 places in St Helens everyone needs to visit at least once

Jump in domestic abuse, mental health issues, working benefits

Deprived communities were hit hard during lockdown (Image: St Helens Star)
Made up of a poll of 6,000 people and hundreds of charities, social enterprises, and policy experts, the CSJ report states that calls to domestic abuse helplines rose by 700%, mental health problems in young people went from one in nine to one in six, and 86% more people sought help for addictions during lockdown.

An extra 1.2 million people also went on working-age benefits during lockdown while severe school absence jumped 134%.

Highlighting how these issues are often felt more acutely in deprived areas, the report found that 40% of the most disadvantaged reported having a mental health condition since lockdown, compared to just 13% of the general population.

A Covid-19 notice in Thatto Heath Park (Image: Philip Wilkinson)
The most disadvantaged also view mental health as the biggest factor holding them back, which only comes fifth for the general public, while the report also found that there are almost 500,000 more people who are economically inactive because of long-term sickness since the pandemic.

In addition to mental health and sickness worries, the most disadvantaged worry "twice as much as the mainstream about the quality of their housing" and their communities being “torn apart” by addiction, the CSJ added.

In terms of general health, other reports have also shown how those living in the most deprived areas have been around twice as likely to die after contracting covid.

St Helens hit hard as 26th most deprived area

An empty Bridge Street during lockdown (Image: St Helens Star)
As th CSJ report reveals concerning statistics, they are particularly relevant in St Helens as the town is currently ranked as the 26th most deprived local authority on the government’s English Indices of Deprivation.

The ranking comes as St Helens has 29 neighbourhoods classed as being in the 10 per cent most deprived in the country and 42 per cent of children living in households below the poverty line - 11 per cent higher than the national average.

In terms of covid-related deaths, St Helens has recorded 813 deaths, which at 448.9 per 100k people is the second highest across Merseyside and much higher than the UK average of 343.8 per 100k.

Long-term plans necessary to tackle inequalities

Labour MP for St Helens South & Whiston, Marie Rimmer (Image: Marie Rimmer MP)
As these statistics highlight how covid and lockdown had a disproportionate impact on people's physical and mental health in deprived areas, including those in St Helens, local leaders have called for "long term plans" in order to address the impacts and inequalities.

Marie Rimmer MP said: "What covid did was put a spotlight on the inequality that exists across our country. Lockdowns did not create these problems, yet it made many of them worse.

"For far too long areas that have been let down by this Conservative government have continued to be let down. The gap between rich and poor is getting worse and things are not going to change under this government.

“Levelling Up was supposed to make our country more equal and give areas that need it a helping hand. Sadly, this just has not happened.

The problems highlighted by this report will not go away overnight. There needs to be a long-term plan to solve it.

"Short term gimmicks and slogan that we have seen from the Tories will not work. Labour will truly start to level up our countries and support areas that need it."

Cllr Anthony Burns (Image: Cllr Anthony Burns)

Councillor Anthony Burns, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, said: "St Helens Borough, like many local authority areas in the country, experienced an unprecedented impact as a result of the pandemic.  

"Many people in St Helens do essential roles and were not able to work from home so were more likely to be exposed to the virus. Furthermore, Merseyside was under restrictions for longer than most other areas. Underlying factors such as poverty and more people living with long term medical conditions lead to disproportionate illness and death from COVID-19. 

"However, in St Helens we have some amazing people and a commitment from all agencies to work together on behalf of residents, under the banner of ‘St Helens Together’.  

"During the pandemic, people worked together and many people gave up their time to volunteer to make sure no one was homeless, the shielded were looked after, that no one went hungry, the listening and support service were available late into the evening, and we were quick to successfully roll out both testing and vaccination. 

“Recognising these challenges, the council and partners who form the People’s Board, produced a ‘Living with COVID-19 in St Helens - A local reflection on the pandemic’ to support local implementation of the government’s ‘Living with COVID-19 plan’.  

“Since the pandemic we have continued to build on this partnership work, even though this has been difficult given the cost-of-living challenges we have faced.  

"We have established an Inequalities Commission and done community engagement focused on Living a Great Life in St Helens and tried to address people’s immediate concerns by doing things such as increasing the number of food pantries across the borough, as well as investing more in best start for children and mental health support.    

"However, it is very difficult due to the level of need and poor underlying health.  We recently wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ask for more help to; prevent homelessness, more funding for basic needs such as food, and for better funding for health and social care and we will continue to make the case for fair funding so that we can support residents through these difficult times.” 

The government's covid measures are said to have been 'catastrophic' for some communites (Image: PA)
Speaking about the report, Andy Cook, chief executive of the Centre for Social Justice, said: “This report makes for deeply uncomfortable reading.

“Lockdown policy poured petrol on the fire that had already been there is the most disadvantaged people’s lives, and so far no one has offered a plan to match the scale of the issues.

“What this report shows is that we need far more than discussions on finance redistribution, but a strategy to go after the root causes of poverty, education, work, debt, addiction and family.”