The UK’s coastal communities are among the country’s worst off for earnings, employment, health and education, a new BBC/Social Market Foundation report has found.

Whilst North Somerset only gets a brief, and favourable, mention in the report, a local councillor has warned against complacency.

North Somerset Councillor Mike Bell says that North Somerset’s picture is complicated and a “tale of two halves”.

He said: “This new report highlights the parlous state of many coastal communities that are hit by poor health, lower earnings and higher unemployment.

“Whilst North Somerset overall, ranks pretty well, that masks a very different picture between the two Parliamentary constituencies of Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset. It really is a tale of two halves.”

Unemployment: The unemployment claimant count in Weston-super-Mare is 1.4%, in North Somerset constituency it is just 0.6%. These compare to a national average of 1.9%.

Average earnings: Average weekly earnings in Weston-super-Mare are £515 (5% below the national average), in North Somerset constituency they are £601 (11% above the national average). The national average is £541.

Poverty: In Weston-super-Mare constituency, 10.5% of the population receive working age benefits, in North Somerset constituency the figure is just 4.5%. The national average is 8.4%.

Poor health: In health, Weston-super-Mare Central Ward has 10.2% of the population with bad or very bad health, amongst the very worst in Britain.

Councillor Bell added: “There is still much to be done to address inequality, poverty and poor health in Weston, especially in the coastal and town centre wards. North Somerset Council and health chiefs must not make the mistake of believing everything in the garden is rosy.

“A lot has and is being done, and local leaders are to be applauded for work on regeneration. However, these figures show that there is still a big gap between our communities and more attention needs to be given to providing everyone locally with a fair chance in life.”