UK fertility timebomb: Crisis as birth rates drop to all time low with some areas becoming 'baby deserts' as so few are having children
Women of childbearing age in England and Wales have, on average, only had 1.44 children each as of 2023, according to a report from the Office of National Statistics.
Fertility rate in England and Wales drops to new record low
The total fertility rate across England and Wales dropped to a new record low last year, while the number of live births fell to the lowest in nearly five decades.While fertility rates across the two nations have been in overall decline since 2010, the rate in 2023 fell to 1.44 children per woman, which the Office for National Statistics said is the lowest value since records began in 1938.The rate was down from an average of 1.49 children per woman over their lifetime in 2022, and has decreased most among women aged 20 to 24 – down 79% from...
Incredibly proud – Liam Livingstone grateful to be handed England captaincy
Liam Livingstone feels like he has been handed “a new career” as he prepares to captain England for the first time just two months after losing his place in the side.The dust may barely have settled on England’s Test series defeat in Pakistan but their next assignment is already at hand, as a youthful side begins a white-ball tour of the West Indies.With Jos Buttler injured, Livingstone has been asked to lead his country in the three-match ODI series which begins in Antigua on Thursday, capping a remarkably swift change in fortunes.It is only a matter of weeks since...
Alex Hartley says ‘England need to get fitter’ after T20 World Cup failure
Alex Hartley believes England need to improve their fitness after crashing out of the T20 World Cup in Dubai.England exited the tournament following a six-wicket defeat to West Indies in their final group game on Tuesday, meaning they missed out on a semi-final spot due to net run-rate.The results saw West Indies finish top of Group B, with South Africa joining them in the last four alongside Group A’s Australia and New Zealand.England were restricted to 141 for seven and were undone by quick half-centuries from openers Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph, who helped West Indies cruise to their...
Sharp differences among local areas in time needed to walk to amenities
Access to railway stations and libraries by foot varies considerably across England and Wales, with sharp differences among areas that share the same urban or rural characteristics, new analysis shows.There are some local authorities where the entire population is likely to be within a half-hour walk of a station or library, but others where the figure is zero – with some of the most striking variations occurring in neighbourhoods just postcodes apart.Around 57% of the population of England and Wales are able to walk to a railway station within 30 minutes, but this figure is higher in parts of...