Welcome to the latest edition of Public Data Insights, our monthly summary of the latest data and statistical releases from various government departments and public bodies, all with a focus on sub-national insights.
With a wealth of statistics available from government sources, there are many opportunities to leverage this data to communicate key issues to stakeholders at a local level.
Whether you’re tracking unemployment rates, inflation, or more specialised data releases, this round-up is designed to spotlight some of the most intriguing regional and local-level statistics.
Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training
Between July and September 2024, 13.2% of 16-24 year olds were not in education, employment, or training (NEET). This marks an increase both year-on-year and from the previous quarter. The rise was predominantly driven by an increase in young men who were NEET. Of the 946,000 young people classified as NEET, 550,000 were men and 397,000 were women.
People are considered to be in education or training if they:
- Are enrolled on an education course and are still attending or waiting for term to start or restart
- Are doing an apprenticeship
- Are on a government-supported employment or training programme
- Are working or studying towards a qualification
- Have had job-related training or education in the last four weeks
Among the NEET population, 395,000 were unemployed while 552,000 were economically inactive.
Next Update: 2025
Source: Office for National Statistics Labour Market Team
Domestic Abuse and the Criminal Justice System
The police recorded approximately 1.4 million domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes in the year ending March 2024. The Crime Survey for England and Wales however estimated that 2.3 million people aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in the time period. The prevalence of domestic abuse reported over the last year has remained relatively stable compared to the previous year.
By Police Force Area, the data outlines the number of arrests, arrest rates, child protection referrals and domestic violence protection notices and orders. The Thames Valley recorded the highest arrest rate of arrests, with 92 per 100 domestic abuse-related offences. Lincolnshire, Merseyside and Gloucestershire had the lowest arrest rates, each with 24 out of 100 domestic abuse-related offences.
Next Update: TBC
Source: Office for National Statistics Centre for Crime and Justice
Bus Statistics
The latest statistics published by the Department for Transport provide insights into the local bus sector in Great Britain, covering bus fares, local bus passenger journeys, distances travelled by both local bus vehicles and passengers, as well as government support for bus industry and concessionary travel. This data is broken down by country, region, metropolitan area status, urban-rural classification and by local authority.
The number of passenger journeys on local bus services per head has decreased by 27% in England, from 86.7 in 2014 to 62.9 in 2024. The North East has seen the greatest drop in 10 years, with a decrease of 33%.
Next Update: Updated Quarterly
Source: Department for Transport
Autism Statistics
In September 2024, there were 204,876 patients with an open referral for suspected autism. Of these, 89.4% had a referral that had been open at least 13 weeks. Compared to September 2023, there had been a 24.6% decrease in the number of new referrals.
For those aged under 10, NHS Birmingham and Solihull had the highest number of patients with an open suspected autism referral at 6,092 per 100,000 of the population. Conversely, NHS Mid And South Essex, NHS Bristol, North Somerset And South Gloucestershire and NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board had fewer than 15 per 100,000.
In NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, 84% of patients aged under 10 had waited more than 13 weeks for a first appointment.
Next Update: 2025
Source: NHS Digital
Immigration groups
Data published by the Home Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reveals the numbers for individuals on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, those under the Afghan Resettlement Programme, and asylum seekers receiving support.
The local authorities of Buckinghamshire (1,971), Somerset (1,770) and Barnet (1,674) had seen the highest number of individuals under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Meanwhile, Birmingham (574), Leeds (488) and Bristol (413) had the highest number of individuals under the Afghan Resettlement Programme. In only two local authorities (Hounslow and Hillingdon), did the percentage of those receiving asylum exceed 1% of the local population.
Next Update: Quarterly updates
Source: Home Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government