SWINDON has some of the worst areas of deprivation in the country according to a new report.

The report is a collation of government data which divides the UK into more than 32,000 districts, with 132 being in Swindon, and compares a variety of factors such as education and health.

While the town comes out quite well in comparison with the rest of the country, it does highlight some of the worst areas in the country.

According to the statistics, the area of Penhill North is the most deprived, as it was in 2010, and is in the bottom ten per cent in the country. Parts of Pinehurst, Walcot and Park South also fall into the lower percentage nationally.

Overall Swindon fares better than many similar town and is ranked 108 out of 152 local authorities, meaning 107 are more deprived.

However, there has been a large increase in number of people falling into what is classed as income deprived.

Since 2004, more than 26,000 residents in Swindon fell into this category, with is an increase of 50 per cent against the 18 per cent population rise over that period.

Swindon Borough Council Leader David Renard says tackling deprivation is one of the key aims of the recently approved Vision for the town.

He said: "It's quite clear that giving people employment and educational opportunities is the best way to help them improve their lives and raise the areas where they live.

"The downside of putting things in a table is that there is always somewhere at the top. A lot of work has gone in to improving these areas, not just from the council but our partner agencies.

"For example, a few years ago we refurbished Braden Court in Penhill to improve the area and we have looked at other areas.

“Education is by far and away the most important for determining life chances so this is a key focus which is why lifting standards is also part of the Vision.

“The government has identified that the lowest paid in society needed to have a pay increase,” he said.

“The introduction of the national living wage will help that and there are more people in Swindon in work.”

But there are some areas where the council is falling behind and the Labour group has said this brings into question some of the council’s recent decisions.

Leader Jim Grant (Lab, Rodbourne Cheney) said: “While Swindon remains a fairly average town in terms of overall deprivation compared to the national picture there are some areas we will need to work on over the coming years.

“For example, Swindon has fallen back compared to the national average in terms of health deprivation and disabilities.

“This data shows that Swindon Council has a big job to improve public health in Swindon, ensuring local residents have all the information and assistance they need to keep our residents in good health.

“Swindon has also noticeably fallen back in education, skills and training compared to the national average.

“This is a big area of concern because it raises questions on whether Swindon has developed the right skills in our young people to take advantage of the good employment opportunities in the town.”