Market Introduction

Waltham Forest is an outer London borough in East London that has a mixture of both inner and outer London characteristics. The north of the borough is greener and less densely populated with larger homes and an older population, while in the south the population is younger and more transient and is more likely to live in private rented accommodation and overcrowded conditions.  

The usual resident population of Waltham Forest on Census Day 2021 was 278,400 people (20,000, +7.8% increase from previous census). These results represent a slower pace of growth, compared to the previous decade (2001 to 2011), when the increase in local borough population was twice as large (40,000, +18.1%). Census 2021 data shows lower counts of younger children (0 to 9) and people aged 65+ in Waltham Forest and London in general than the previous official mid-year estimates suggested(1).  

Local Facts and Figures 

• Waltham Forest is home to an estimated 278,400 residents as of March 2021 and 102,900 households. (ONS, Census 2021) 
• The median age of residents is 35.6 years compared to the England average of 40.2 years. 
• Our borough is one of the most diverse areas in the country. An estimated 47% of residents are from a minority ethnic background. 
• The top six countries of origin for residents born overseas are Romania (11,000), Hungary (6,000), Poland (6,000), Bulgaria (5,000), and Lithuania (5,000) and Pakistan (5,000). (ONS 2019) 
• The top five languages spoken locally other than English are Urdu, Polish, Romanian, Turkish and Lithuanian. 
• 94.3% of enterprises in Waltham Forest are micro businesses employing fewer than 10 people. 
• As of June 2022, more than 145,000 working age residents (74.3%) are in employment. (Nomis, 2022) 
• The median annual earnings for full-time working residents is £36,000. (Nomis, 2021) 
• Waltham Forest is currently ranked 82nd most deprived borough nationally according to the 2019 Index of Multiple Deprivation (an improvement from 35th in the 2015 edition, and 15th most deprived in the 2010 edition). 
• Life expectancy in Waltham Forest is similar to England’s average – 79.8 for male and 83.2 for female,  average life expectancy for Waltham Forest is 81.5 years.  
• The average house price in the borough as of March 2022 was £500,000, an increase of 51% since 2015. (ONS, 2022)  

Benchmarking Insights 

All local authorities conduct a wide range of benchmarking activities to better understand comparative performance and value across key services. We use this information: 

• To inform budget setting 
• To prioritise and drive improvements 
• To ensure members have the opportunity to compare performance with other similar local authorities and regional neighbouring authorities. 

In 2021 to 22 we received 7,122 new requests for support in 2022 to 23 we have received 8,008 which compared to the previous year there has already been a marked increase for support. 

The Adult Social Care numbers for Waltham Forest: 

• 1363 all aged adults received a reablement service to help them regain their independence. This is an increase of 128 compared with 1235 for 2021 to 22. 
• 556 of all aged adults went on to receive a long-term service. This is an increase of 90 compared with 466 for 2021 to 22. 
• 1808 people went on to receive other forms of short term, or ongoing low-level support. Which is a decrease in number compared with 2692 in 2021 to 22.  

In 2022 to 23 this is how we supported Waltham Forest people: 

• 4043 adults with long-term support needs so far this year, which is an increase of 277 compared to previous year (3766). 
• 3310 adults with an ongoing service have been supported in their own home, this is increase of 237 from the previous year. 
• 573 older adults (65+) receive residential or nursing care. An increase compared with figures of 528 in 2021 to 22. 
• 796 adults decided to take their Personal Budget as a Direct Payment, this is a small increase of 6 people from the previous year. 
• 383 working age adults have a full direct payment, and 158 of older adults (65+) have a full direct payment. Compared to 2021 to 22 where 393 working age adults and 151 people aged 65+ had a full direct payment. 

 Source: SALT Return (2021 to 22 and 2022 to 23)