Key Points
- Worst Rank in England: Barking and Dagenham was ranked the worst among 296 local authorities in England for being ranked in a connection barometer that measures how friendly the community is, with an 8 out of 100 score.
- Poor Local Pride: Just 42.8 percent of the population felt proud of living in their local areas, in comparison to the national average of 59.7 percent.
- High Levels of Loneliness: A total of 10.1 percent of the population feels lonely “often or always”, surpassing the English national average of 6.6 percent.
- Low Civic Engagement: Formal volunteerism at least once a month was recorded at 10.9 percent (as opposed to the national average of 16.5 percent), and civic participation over the last year was recorded at 26.2 percent (as against 33.6 percent nationally).
- Levels of Social Cohesion: Approximately 74.6 percent of those who took part in the survey felt that people of different social backgrounds get along well, with the figure lagging behind the national average of 80.6 percent by six percentage points.
- Comparison across Authorities: Isles of Scilly is considered to be the friendliest place in England, while others include Stoke-on-Trent, Ashfield, Mansfield, and Ipswich.
Barking and Dagenham (East London Times) September 14, 2026 – Barking and Dagenham has been named the least friendly local authority area in England, following an analysis of official government statistics compiled by community initiative platform The National Conversation. The east London borough ranked 296th out of 296 local authorities across eight distinct social metrics, securing an overall score of eight out of 100 on the organisation’s connection barometer.
As reported by Jacob Phillips of the Evening Standard, data extracted from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Community Life Survey 2024/25 indicated that fewer than half of the borough’s residents feel pride in their surroundings. The findings highlight significant gaps in local civic participation, neighbourly engagement, and overall social connectedness compared to English national benchmarks.
What Do the Specific Metrics Reveal About Community Life in Barking and Dagenham?
As detailed by Noah Vickers of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the research examined eight specific criteria used to assess how connected citizens feel to their immediate communities. The statistical breakdown reveals distinct divergences between local responses in Barking and Dagenham and broader national trends:
- Local Pride: A total of 42.8 per cent of residents reported feeling proud to live in their local area, whereas the national figure across England stands at 59.7 per cent.
- Frequency of Loneliness: In Barking and Dagenham, 10.1 per cent of inhabitants stated they felt lonely “often or always”, placing the area among the highest recorded rates in the country, compared to the English average of 6.6 per cent.
- Social Cohesion: Asked whether people from different backgrounds get on well together in the local area, 74.6 per cent of residents agreed. While representing a clear majority, this remains lower than the national average of 80.6 per cent.
- Neighbourly Interaction: Approximately 64.8 per cent of respondents indicated they speak to their neighbours at least once a month, positioning the borough slightly below the national average of 68.8 per cent.
- Formal Volunteering: Just 10.9 per cent of inhabitants engage in formal volunteering at least once a month, compared to the national English average of 16.5 per cent.
- Civic Participation: A total of 26.2 per cent of local residents engaged in civic participation over the preceding 12 months, trailing the wider national figure of 33.6 per cent.
How Did Other Regions and Neighboring Boroughs Fare in the Rankings?
As reported by Andrew Williams of ShortList, the connection index highlighted a stark contrast between areas at the top and bottom of the table. Neighboring east London borough Newham performed marginally better than Barking and Dagenham, ranking 285th out of 296 areas, with 52.5 per cent of its population stating they feel a sense of belonging to their neighborhood and 78.9 per cent agreeing that individuals from diverse backgrounds interact positively.
At the top of the spectrum, the Isles of Scilly was declared the friendliest local authority in England. It was followed in the upper tiers by South Hams in Devon, West Devon, the Derbyshire Dales, and the London borough of Richmond upon Thames, where 86.3 per cent of residents expressed pride in their locality. Conversely, joining Barking and Dagenham at the bottom end of the national index were Stoke-on-Trent, Ashfield, Mansfield, and Ipswich.
Background of the Particular Development
The connection barometer created by The National Conversation relies on secondary statistical analysis of the government’s official Community Life Survey datasets. Conducted annually by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Community Life Survey tracks long-term national trends regarding social cohesion, community engagement, loneliness, and volunteering across England.
Barking and Dagenham has historically undergone rapid demographic shifts and economic restructuring over recent decades. Following the contraction of large-scale manufacturing industries—most notably the downscaling of the historic Ford Dagenham automotive plant—the borough has experienced significant economic challenges, coupled with sustained population growth and urban regeneration projects. Local authorities and social research organisations frequently examine these structural changes to evaluate their impact on civic infrastructure, public service pressure, and local neighborhood integration.
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Prediction: How This Development Can Affect the Particular Audience
The publication of these findings carries distinct implications for local residents, municipal policymakers, social care providers, and business stakeholders across Barking and Dagenham.
For the primary audience—the residents of Barking and Dagenham—the identification of high loneliness levels (10.1 per cent) and reduced civic participation may prompt increased scrutiny of local community investment. Public healthcare administrators and local charity organizations may reallocate resources toward combatting social isolation, particularly targeting vulnerable or elderly demographics who suffer disproportionately from chronic loneliness.
For Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council and local political leaders, the survey results create pressure to review public engagement strategies and neighborhood infrastructure. Policymakers are likely to face demands to fund localized voluntary services, community centers, and public space developments aimed at fostering social interaction and increasing local pride.
For local economic stakeholders and real estate developers, lower recorded levels of area pride can potentially influence prospective buyers, businesses, and investors considering relocation to the borough. However, highlighted gaps in civic participation could equally serve as a catalyst for targeted grant funding, regeneration initiatives, and corporate social responsibility programmes intended to strengthen neighborhood cohesion over the coming years.
