REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean has slammed a new report saying Redditch has one of the lowest rates of wellbeing in the UK.
The inaugural UK Wellbeing Report, carried out by the World Wellbeing Movement, said one in four Redditch residents live below the Happiness Poverty Line – double the national average of 1 in 8.
The World Wellbeing Movement created the report using Office for National Statistics data on UK-wide satisfaction levels.
More than 320,000 people across the UK were asked to rate their level of life satisfaction on a scale of one to 10.
Mrs Maclean said the sample size, of 0.2 per cent, did not represent the views of the town.
“This report should be seen for exactly what it is. It’s a report designed to give the campaign behind it some attention.
“It’s frustrating that this keeps happening.”
Sarah Cunningham, managing director of the World Wellbeing Movement said: “The data from our report is alarming.
“Life satisfaction scores have proved to be strong predictors of people’s physical and mental health, as well as longevity.
“The UK government needs to take this data seriously, otherwise, it’s letting residents down.
“The current system for measuring progress and development is outdated and doesn’t reflect modern society.
“We encourage people to speak to their local MPs and councillors, get it on their agenda, let them know how important wellbeing is to you.”
THIS is not the first time Redditch has ‘scored badly’ in wellbeing surveys.
What do you think about living in the borough?
Are these surveys painting the town in a bad light unfairly? Email [email protected] with your views.
