Equality Framework for Local Government

Local Context of Havering

Havering is the third largest London Borough, covering 11,227 hectares, with more than half of the Borough being within the Green Belt. Havering is bordered by Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge, Essex and Thurrock Councils, with the River Thames forming our southern boundary. Havering is a mainly prosperous Borough with a diverse and successful economy.

Havering has a population of 232,300, predicted to rise by 9.6% by 2021 and 15.9% by 2031. Our rate of population growth is roughly average for England and below average when compared to the rest of London. The median age for the borough is 40.8 years of age and Havering has the highest proportion of older people (aged 65+ males & 60+ females) in London - 20.8%, compared to 13.7% for London and 19.2% nationally (ONS, 2009). Females over pension age are heavily overrepresented in the population profile of Havering, with over 14,000 more older females than older males. This is in contrast to a greater male working age population than female, with nearly 5,000 more 16-64 year old males. Havering's household composition is mainly pensioners and married couples with dependent children.

The borough predominately has a white population and is well below the London average in terms of the ethnic minority population and slightly below the England ethnic minority population. Specifically, we have a 3.7% Asian population, compared to 13.3% for London and 5.70% nationally; a 3.1% Black population compared to 10.6% for London and 2.8% nationally; a 1.6% mixed population, compared to 3.5% for London and 1.7% nationally; and 1.1% of Chinese and other ethnic minorities, compared to 3.5% for London and 1.5% nationally (ONS, 2007).

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