IMD 2025 - employment domain summary
This guide presents census statistics and mapping providing insights into Luton’s population, local economy, and key characteristics highlighted by census data.
The Indices of Deprivation
- The 2025 Indices of Deprivation (IoD) were published by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on 30 October 2025 and rank relative deprivation amongst local areas in England. The previous IoD was released in 2019.
- A total of 55 indicators across seven ‘domains’ are collected for each of England’s 33,755 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) – small neighbourhoods averaging approximately 1,500 individuals and 600 households. Luton has 125 LSOAs.
The seven domains cover:
- income
- employment
- education
- health
- crime
- barriers to housing and services
- living environment
This report focuses on the employment index.
Employment indicators
The employment domain includes claims of:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (both contribution-based and income-based)
- new style Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (both contribution-based and income-based)
- new style Employment and Support Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Universal Credit in the following conditionality groups:
- no work requirements
- searching for work
- planning for work
- preparing for work
Employment in Luton
- Luton is ranked as the 81st (out of 296 local authorities) most deprived area for employment, in 2019 the rank was 115th (out of 321).
- There are 4 per cent of neighbourhoods in the top ten per cent most deprived areas in the country with 19.2 per cent in the top 20 per cent most deprived.
- Employment deprivation is strongest in Central, Farley, Lewsey and Northwell wards.
- The least deprived areas are in Barnfield, Bramingham and Wigmore.
Map 1: IoD 2025 employment domain
The map above shows that employment deprivation is strongest in Central, Farley, Lewsey and Northwell wards. The least deprived areas are in Barnfield, Bramingham and Wigmore wards.
Percentage of small areas by decile
| Decile | Span of decile | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 to 10% most deprived | 4% |
| 2 | 10 to 20% most deprived | 15.2% |
| 3 | 20 to 30% most deprived | 20.8% |
| 4 | 30 to 50% most deprived | 14.4% |
| 5 | 40 to 50% most deprived | 17.6% |
| 6 | 50 to 60% least deprived | 8% |
| 7 | 60 to 70% least deprived | 5.6% |
| 8 | 70 to 80% least deprived | 8 9.6% |
| 9 | 80 to 90% least deprived | 4.8% |
| 10 | 90 to 100% least deprived | 4% |
Further information
A more detailed report exploring IDACI (income deprivation affecting children index) in Luton is available on request by email.
Email: info.intel@luton.gov.uk