R>in 2003) and is one of the most sparsely populated counties in England. The local economy
is based on tourism and agriculture and the County Council is the largest employer. Ethnic
groups represent a very small percentage of the population, 1.2% compared to 9% nationally
(Census 2001). The Chinese community represents 0.26% of the total population in
Shropshire (Census 2001). The rural character and dispersed population of Shropshire
makes it difficult to identify areas of need and to deliver services efficiently and effectively.
This is even truer for the Chinese population for whom specialised services may be required.
Although there is a high concentration of Chinese in Shrewsbury, the population is highly
dispersed throughout the County (Table 1). This also makes it difficult to organise and
establish community groups.
3.1.1. Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004
The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004 (IMD 2004) was published by the Office of the
Deputy Prime Minister and is a Super Output Area (SOA) level index that measures
deprivation using indicators relating to income, employment, health and disability, education,
skills and training, barriers to housing and services, crime and living environment. The
relationship between deprivation and ill health is well documented. Overall, Shropshire
County is a relatively affluent area. However, the IMD 2004 has identified a number of Super
Output Areas where there is evidence of social exclusion, poor housing, low incomes and
health inequalities. Three of Shropshire’s 192 SOAs fall within the most deprived fifth of
areas in England and they fall within the electoral wards of Harlescott and Meole Brace in
Shrewsbury and Ludlow Henley in Ludlow. At district level, Oswestry and Shrewsbury &
Atcham are the most deprived districts in the county. The distribution of Chinese in urban
areas shows the highest numbers in Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Ludlow (Census 2001;
Table 1). Although this is a broad correlation and the number of Chinese people in each area
is relatively small, it may give an indication of the level of deprivation experienced by
Chinese people.
In Shropshire, the 2001 population census provides the only source of up-to-date information
on ethnic groups and can be used to paint a picture of the Chinese population in the County
(Appendix A). In 2001, the Census recorded 737 Chinese people in the County. The age
structure is much younger than the total population and this is reflective of the Chinese
population in England & Wales (Figure 1). 42% of the Chinese population in Shropshire
County were aged 16-24 and of these 97% were full-time students. Even excluding the 16-
24 year olds, the age distribution in Shropshire County of the Chinese is skewed towards a
younger population compared to that of the overall population, with only 2.4% aged over 64
and no people aged over 79 (in 2001).
By National Statistics Socio-economic Classification, small employers and own account
workers were the second largest group after students. In Shropshire (and England & Wales),
restaurant and takeaway owners are likely to account for the majority of small employers. Of
all Chinese people aged 16-74 in employment the week before the Census, 51% were
employed in the Hotels and restaurants industry. The number of students and people
working in the catering trade is disproporti
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