Where's the best place to raise a family? You'll be surprised
THE Orkney Islands, Shetland and the Western Isles in northern Scotland have been identified as the best places in Britain to bring up children.
The Orkney Islands, Shetland and the Western Isles are the best places to bring up children
The annual children's quality of life survey from Halifax said the Orkney Islands had held on to the crown since 2015, based on low primary school class size, high school spending per pupil, low population density and traffic levels.
Children in the Orkneys are also likely to be surrounded by adults in employment and with high personal wellbeing, Halifax said.
The Shetland Islands came second, while Craven in North Yorkshire scooped third place.
Orkney Islands, Scotland, is the best place to raise a family
Measuring the best quality of life for children covers a range of factors including class size, spending per pupil and academic results
Russell Galley, managing director of Halifax, said: "Measuring the best quality of life for children covers a range of factors including class size, spending per pupil and academic results.
"Kids in the top-ranked places will often be surrounded by a greater proportion of adults in full-time employment who also consider themselves to be happy."
Halifax used Office for National Statistics figures to make its findings.
Here are the top 20 areas with the best quality of life for children, according to Halifax:
1. Orkney Islands, Scotland
2. Shetland Islands, Scotland
3. Craven, Yorkshire and the Humber
4. Western Isles, Scotland
5. Hart, South East
6. South Lakeland, North West
7. North Warwickshire, West Midlands
8. Highland, Scotland
9. Waverley, South East
10. Richmondshire, Yorkshire and the Humber
The Shetland Islands came second
11. Rutland, East Midlands
12. Stroud, South West
13. Perth and Kinross, Scotland
14. Erewash, East Midlands
15. Eden, North West
16. Woking, South East
17. Wychavon, West Midlands
18. Suffolk Coastal, East of England
19. Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber
20. Mole Valley, South East