Economic Struggles Fuel Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Hartlepool and Beyond

Hartlepool, a coastal town in northeast Britain, has shown resilience in the face of industrial decline since the 1980s. However, the consequences of this decline are still evident today. As per the Office for National Statistics, the town's disposable income is below the national average, with a significant portion of the population out of the workforce. Additionally, the number of active businesses has decreased, and the community experiences lower healthy life expectancy and a crime rate that is 89% higher than the national average.

Impact on Local Economy and Society

These economic challenges have had a noticeable impact on the local economy and society, contributing to a sense of frustration among the residents. This frustration has been exploited by far-right politicians, who have capitalized on the community's grievances to gain political power.