Issues and SWOT

strength

Keep the delivered leisure facilities accessible

Britannia Leisure Centre has been open since 2021.

Proposed response: Protect access and affordable activities during neighbouring construction.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

5% of people reported bad or very bad health in Hackney council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 3.7% in Dalston to 6.4% in London Fields — a gap of 2.7 percentage points.

This is how residents described their health in the census. It can reveal differences between neighbourhoods, but does not diagnose illness or measure current waiting times. Age profiles differ between places, so these shares do not measure service quality.

strength

Connect local skills to local opportunities

52.4% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Hackney council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 9.8% in Dalston to 30.5% in Springfield — a gap of 20.7 percentage points.

Qualifications show one part of the skills available locally. They do not show whether people have secure jobs or work that uses those skills.

weakness

Resolve defects before counting homes as successful delivery

Bridport House is closed for repairs despite its earlier completion.

Proposed response: Track the repair work and residents’ return arrangements.

Evidence

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £2,658 a month (August 2026) in Hackney council area. This is £1,199 higher than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 19% in King's Park to 43% in Dalston — a gap of 24 percentage points.

Housing costs matter most alongside earnings and the number of affordable homes available. A local average cannot tell us whether a particular household can afford its home.

opportunity

Keep community benefits visible through later phases

Woodberry Down includes the Redmond Centre and public wetlands access.

Proposed response: Link future housing phases to the facilities existing residents use.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

7.9% of people in Hackney council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 5.8% in Hoxton West to 10.1% in King's Park — a gap of 4.3 percentage points.

Age alone does not mean poor health or a need for care. Accessible homes, reliable transport and support close to home matter as people get older.

opportunity

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Hackney council area.

Published locations are approximate and some crimes are not mapped. Counts show recorded incidents, not the chance of an individual becoming a victim.

opportunity

Turn published plans into visible progress

3 named local projects or plans have official evidence in this collection.

A published plan makes responsibilities and intentions easier to inspect. It does not prove that funding is secured or that promised benefits have arrived.

opportunity

Target support where disadvantages overlap

Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 16.1% in Dalston to 28.5% in Springfield — a gap of 12.4 percentage points.

These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.

threat

Restart Britannia housing with a credible delivery plan

Housing work paused after the contractor entered administration.

Proposed response: Set out a verified restart, costs and resident protections.

Evidence