Deprivation overview
The deprivation section is dominated by the indices of deprivation, which includes the index of multiple deprivation (IMD) - the official measure of deprivation in England. The figures are updated approximately once every three years and are a vital source of information. The results are used extensively to understand local issues, and to underpin policy objectives designed to tackle the range of problems faced in specific areas of the county.
Lancashire's most deprived areas are in urban centres of towns in East Lancashire, Preston and Blackpool, some of which are amongst the most deprived areas in England. These are localities that have undergone major economic and structural change over many years, and face various issues. Overall, the county has a large number of small areas in the 10% most derived localities in England.
At the other end of the scale, Lancashire's least deprived areas are the rural and semi-rural localities that have easy access to jobs in Lancashire's urban centres, Manchester, Liverpool and the surrounding areas. However, rural localities that are more isolated with worse living environments experience greater levels of deprivation. Overall, the county has notably fewer localities in the 10% least deprived areas than the 10% most deprived.
The fuel poverty and winter fuel payments article provides insight into deprivation at a household-level. The fuel poverty figures emphasise the large number of low-income households living in properties which cannot be kept warm at reasonable cost. Since the changes to winter fuel payment eligibility, these figures now indicate the number pensioners considered to be most at risk of fuel poverty.
The children living in low income families article highlights the number of children in Lancashire who are living in households facing greater financial pressures.
The personal insolvencies and debt article is another important addition to this section, drawing attention to the scale of debt problems in Lancashire.
Page updated December 2025