Northern Ireland named as UK’s most trusting region Northern Ireland has been named as the most trusting region in the UK with the highest proportion of people feeling […]

Northern Ireland has been named as the most trusting region in the UK with the highest proportion of people feeling they belonged to their neighbourhood.

Around 73 per cent of people in the region reported that most people in their area can be trusted, compared with 56 per cent of people in London.

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Scotland and Wales had the next highest proportion of people feeling that they belong to their neighbourhood (69 and 67 per cent respectively) and that others around their local area are willing to help their neighbours.

London and the East Midlands had the lowest proportion of people feeling that they belong to their neighbourhood (59 and 61 per cent).

“We’ve been through so much [in recent years] that we want to pass on only the good things and memories.” Retired teacher Tom Cassidy, from Belfast

There is also significant differences between town and country. People living in rural areas were more likely to think that people they live close to can be trusted than people living in urban areas (78 per cent compared with 61 per cent).

According to most recent Census, around 82 per cent of the population live in urban areas while the remainder live in rural areas.

The latest Office for National Statistics’ “Social Capital” figures published on Thursday, based on data from the ongoing Understanding Society survey, also examined the role of factors such as age, ethnicity, economic activity and socio-economic status in explaining any differences.

‘We’re genuinely more caring’

It found that trust in others in their neighbourhood was higher among White ethnic groups (66 per cent) than those from Asian/Asian British ethnic groups (62 per cent), mixed ethnic groups (49 per cent) and Black/Black British ethnic groups (42 per cent).

When it came to looking at occupations, retired people were the most trusting (79 per cent) with unemployed people the least. Less than half (43 per cent) of those without jobs felt this way.

Retired teacher Tom Cassidy, from Belfast, said he was unsurprised by the findings – given the effects The Troubles have had on the country.

“We are genuinely more caring!” he told the i. “We’ve been through so much [in recent years] that we want to pass on only the good things and memories. Also, I’ve not yet met a senior citizen who envies the pressures young people are under, especially those aged 18-30.”