Challenges

Like most big post-industrial cities, Bradford has its challenges. These include high levels of entrenched deprivation, inequality and increasing child poverty. There are significant health inequalities between Bradford and the rest of the country and between different parts of the district. The economy is not operating at its full potential, challenges around transport connectivity act as a barrier to growth and there are issues with the quality of housing particularly within the private rented sector.

There is a need to go further and faster to raise educational attainment and skills and to secure improvement in outcomes for children. Population growth includes a forecast increase in the proportion of people aged 65 and over from 15.4% in 2022 to 17.9% in 2032 including increases among the 70-79, 80-89 and 90+ age groups with potential implications in terms of rising demand for health and care services and the ways these are delivered.

Inequality and deprivation drives demand and cost pressures on public services with limited resources making it increasingly important for local partners to work together to maximise the impact of all our collective resources on the issues that matter most so that we can realise our shared ambitions for the District - the size of the prize is immense - Bradford's potential represents an unrivalled opportunity for growth that can’t be ignored.