EMBARGO: 00.01 Tuesday 18th August 2026
CONTACT: Alice Humphreys, alice@together.org.uk
- A new index allows people to compare communities across the country and have their say on what life is really like where they live.
A new interactive index allows people to compare how friendly their local area is compared to others across the country, and to have their say on whether the official stats reflect their own experience of where they live.
The new index is based on existing Government data from the Community Life Survey and gives 296 local authorities in England a score out of 100 based on their national ranking on across eight variables including how often they chat to neighbours, feelings of loneliness and belonging, level of trust in neighbours, local pride, volunteering and levels of participation in civic life. The National Conversation project, part of the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, has not yet concluded its findings.
According to the government collected stats the top 10 ‘friendliest’ areas are:
- The Isles of Scilly
- South Hams
- West Devon
- Derbyshire Dales
- Richmond upon Thames
- Stratford-on-Avon
- Stroud
- Rutland
- Winchester
- Lewes
At the other end of the scale those ranked lowest in terms of friendliness and connectedness are:
- Crawley
- Thurrock
- Sandwell
- Brent
- Walsall
- Ipswich
- Mansfield
- Ashfield
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Barking and Dagenham
Brendan Cox, Co-Founder of the /together Coalition, said: “This index tells us what government stats think are the most and least connected areas of our country. But we know that government stats are just part of the picture. So whatever you think of your area’s ranking – have your say on what your area is actually like by taking part in the National Conversation. The survey takes less than ten minutes and will help build the best picture we have ever had of our connections.”
The Index has been developed by the Secretariat to the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion and is designed to encourage people to share their own views of their area as part of the National Conversation. The Oxford University Survey launched in May is trying to build the best picture ever of what connects and divides us. Tens of thousands of people have already taken part.
Jon Cruddas, Co-Chair of the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion and former MP for Dagenham, the area that came bottom according to government stats said: “This index is designed to get us talking. And I nearly choked on my cornflakes when my old area came rock bottom. I think government stats miss a lot of what really makes an area tick, including my old town. But that’s why we have developed it, to spark a conversation – because what we really want is your view on your area.”
With the National Conversation closing on 31 August, people have just 13 days left to have their say on the type of country they want to live in via https://www.national-conversation.ox.ac.uk/
The National Conversation results will be published by the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion at the end of the year.
Notes to editors
National Conversation barometer: https://barometer.thenationalconversation.org.uk/
The data used for the index is collected via the Community Life Survey, published annually by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/community-life-survey-202425-annual-publication
The Independent Commission on Community & Cohesion is a once-in-a-generation initiative responding to one of Britain’s greatest challenges: the converging crises of social disconnection and division. The Commission brings together leading voices from across the UK to examine what’s driving these divides – and what needs to change to help build stronger, more connected communities. Its mission is to understand the country’s state of connection and cohesion, and then set out a credible shared vision for how we can live well together – alongside the practical steps needed to make it a reality. The Commission is co-chaired by former Conservative cabinet minister Sir Sajid Javid, and former Labour Policy Coordinator Jon Cruddas, and brings together more than 20 commissioners spanning politics, academia, business, faith and civil society. The insights gathered through the National Conversation will inform a report by the Commission, due to be published in late 2026. That report will combine public insight with academic research and a year-long programme of expert testimony and commissioner deliberation.
More information on the commission and full commissioner list can be found here: www.livingwelltogether.org.uk
The National Conversation runs from 18 May 2026 throughout the summer, closing at the end of August. To take part, or for organisations interested in hosting a Group Conversation, visit: https://www.thenationalconversation.org.uk/
More information on the survey methodology can be found here: https://www.national-conversation.ox.ac.uk/data/pis.html
