London Borough of Barking and Dagenham: local authority assessment
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Assessment published: 19 November 2025
About London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Demographics
Barking and Dagenham is an outer London borough council operating under the Greater London Authority, with a rich local history and a population that has grown by 18% over the last decade. It has the highest proportion of under 17s in England, at 28%, reflecting a relatively young demographic. Barking and Dagenham is part of the London region and the North East London sub-region, which is characterised by rapid population growth, housing challenges, high cost-of-living pressures, and frequent population turnover. It operates in a context of financial constraint and rising complexity of need.
The borough is one of England’s most diverse communities: 26% of residents identify as Asian and 21% as Black. It experiences high levels of deprivation and complex health and care needs, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation score of 10 (10 being most deprived). Nationally, it is ranked 5th out of 153 local authorities for deprivation. Healthy life expectancy is low and there are marked health inequalities and poor health literacy. The area’s overall Health Index is 93.8.
The borough is a Labour stronghold, with all 51 council seats held by the Labour Party. It is part of the North East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the North East London Health and Care Partnership, which includes seven other local authorities: City of London, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. Mental health services are primarily delivered by the North East London Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust. Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust provides emergency and acute hospital services at King George Hospital in Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital in Redbridge.
Financial facts
The Financial facts for London Borough of Barking and Dagenham are:
- The Local Authority estimated that in 2024/2025, its total budget would be £560,293,000.
- The Local Authority estimated it would spend £74,069,000 of its total budget on adult social care in 2024/2025.
- The Local Authority raised the full Adult Social Care precept for 2024/25, with a value of 2%. Please note that the amount raised through the Adult Social Care precept varies from Local Authority to Local Authority.
- Approximately 3060 people were accessing long-term Adult Social Care support, and approximately 850 people were accessing short-term Adult Social Care support in 2023/24. Local authorities spend money on a range of adult social care services, including supporting individuals. No two care packages are the same and vary significantly in their intensity, duration, and cost.
This data is reproduced at the request of the Department of Health and Social Care. It has not been factored into our assessment and is presented for information purposes only.