Latest figures appear to show that regeneration and all the new work opportunities at Salford Quays are not benefitting Salford people but those who come into Salford to work.
New Skills and Work statistics from Salford City Council covering full time average wages over the five year period 2009-2013 show that Salford residents' earnings are 10.7% - or £2,888 - lower than the Salford workplace earnings. And during that period, while Salford residents have seen an average rise of 3.6% - or £843 - in income, Salford workplace earnings have increased by a whopping 13.5% - or £3,202.
According to the Council figures, the average Salford resident's wage is £23,903, compared to £26,791 for workplace earnings. And the gap has widened considerably since 2009.
Salford residents working full time, with average wages of £23,903, also earn less than the Greater Manchester average (£24,968), the North West average (£25,300) and the UK average (£27,017).
It's the same wages story for those who work part time, with Salford residents earning on average £7,423 compared to £9,269 Salford workplace earnings. It's also less than the Greater Manchester part time average earnings (£8,643), the North West average (£8,750) and the UK average (£8,901)*
While Salford City Mayor, Ian Stewart, has been lauding the city's growth rate as on a par "with China", the wealth divide appears to be getting wider. Salford Council poverty figures for the areas of the city that have been regenerated or are near to the new employment centres like Salford Quays are still horrific.
Latest statistics (2012) show child poverty rates in Irwell Riverside are 45.7%, in Langworthy 44.6%, Ordsall 42.2% and Broughton 30.9%. Latest rates (November 2014) of those claiming out of work benefits (JSA, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit etc) show Broughton (24.8%) and Langworthy (24.1%) as the highest in the city. And figures for April 2015 show rates of young people (16-18 year olds) not engaged in employment, education or training (NEET) highest, and rising, in Langworthy (16.6%), Irwell Riverside (13.7%) and Ordsall (13.8%).
The picture these Skills and Work figures paint is one of Salford's most needy residents getting left out of any benefits accrued by £billions of regeneration spending.
While new unaffordable housing is being built all over Salford's inner city to encourage `young professionals', it is merely masking the underlying poverty that is still prevalent.
• See also Social Cleansing In Salford in the print edition of Salford Star – click here
*The latest figures are for 2013.
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