The report was carried out over 25 years on 20 council estates in London, the Midlands, the North East and North West of England by the London School of Economics for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. It showed that 25 years ago they were unpopular estates suffering from a significant number of empty properties, poor management and a dilapidated environment. Today, capital investment, management reorganisation and community involvement has made the majority of them desirable and sought-after places to live.
The report, Turning the Tide? Twenty-five years on twenty estates, shows a transformation from bleak contrasts between the estates and local as well as national housing to a significant reduction in differences. Although patterns in employment and education improved over the 25 years, the levels of economic inactivity have increased and long-term government commitment is still needed to ensure estate residents are not disadvantaged by where they live.
The report will be launched by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on Tuesday 21 November 2006. The event will start with a panel discussion, followed by a question and answer session with the report author, Rebecca Tunstall, of the London School of Economics.
