Tunbridge Wells is the most prosperous place in Kent according to a new survey. The Legatum Institute released its UK Prosperity Index this week which ranks all local authority areas according to their level of prosperity. In the survey, prosperity is not simply a measure of wealth but of a number of different factors including well-being and social capital.
Tunbridge Wells, which is often named as one of the most desirable places to live in the county, has snagged the top spot in the survey out of all the areas in Kent. Prosperity was measured using 43 variables across seven different pillars which were Economic Quality, Business Environment, Education, Health, Safety and Security, Social Capital and Natural Environment. Tunbridge Wells ranked particularly highly in ‘Social Capital’. This measures social network strength, social norms, community participation and trust.
These variables are key to well-being as higher levels of trust are linked to economic growth. The top rated place in the survey was Waverley in Surrey and the worst rated place Kingston Upon Hull.
Read more: Uckfield man charged over reported rape in Rusthall2
The rankings listed below highlight the disparity in wealth and prosperity which is endemic throughout other parts of the UK.
17. Tunbridge Wells
47. Sevenoaks
74. Tonbridge and Malling
80. Wealden (East Sussex)
87.
Maidstone
103. Canterbury
119. Ashford
171. Dover
187. Medway
250. Gravesham
317. Thanet
Harriet Maltby, head of policy research at the Legatum Institute said: “The UK’s cities are letting down many of their residents by failing to turn their higher wealth into real prosperity, a prosperity, as much about wellbeing as wealth.
“They’re failing because they are struggling to provide basic life chances to the large numbers who live there.
“If there is no good school for your child, your environment and lifestyle is unhealthy, and you don’t have people around you to depend on, then many more life opportunities are closed to you.
“Theresa May is right to focus on those who feel left behind because this Index proves they have been.
“The challenge for Government is that government alone cannot provide all the answers.
“Many of the obstacles to prosperity are deeply local.
Rather than try to solve the problems, government should better empower local government and communities to take the action they are best placed to know, if true prosperity is to reach everyone.”
Read more: A resident complained Sevenoaks’ panto is ‘too black’ and the producer tore him apart brilliantly3
References
- ^ Comments (0) (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Uckfield man charged over reported rape in Rusthall (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ A resident complained Sevenoaks’ panto is ‘too black’ and the producer tore him apart brilliantly (www.kentlive.news)