In response mayor Forhad Hussain says he wants Newham “to be a borough where people can age well”, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

A sign saying "Welcome to Newham" — ‘Welcome to Newham’ sign

Less than half of people living in Newham say the borough is a good place to grow older, a survey has revealed.

The findings come as Newham’s older population is set to grow by some 21% over the next five years.

Labour mayor Forhad Hussain said he wanted Newham “to be a borough where people can age well”.

The survey, carried out by Newham Council between November and December 2025, asked 1,523 residents if they thought the borough was a good place to grow older.

It found that only 49% agreed that it was, with sharp disparities between different areas of the borough.

For instance, while 66% of people surveyed in Stratford and West Ham agreed it was, only 39% of people did in neighbouring Forest Gate, and 41% in Custom House and Canning Town.

Just half of people in East Ham felt Newham was a good place to grow older, while 53% did in Plaistow, and in Beckton and the Royal Docks.

However, only 45% did in the centre of the borough, around Green Street, and only 40% in Manor Park.

Mairead Ryan, a policy, research and partnerships manager at the council, presented the findings to the town hall’s health and wellbeing board yesterday (Monday 29th).

She suggested the differences could reflect the age demographics of each area.

The population of people in Newham aged 65 and older is predicted to grow by 21% between 2026 and 2031.

However, Ryan said separate data showed that in Canning Town and Custom House this is expected to grow by 52.6% between 2024 and 2031.

Ryan said: “Perhaps there’s fewer older people in Stratford and West Ham, for example.

“It might be older people that are saying that Newham is a less good place to grow older.”

She added that further research work such as focus groups and interviews might shed more light on the survey’s findings.

The Newham Residents Survey also found that the cost of living and health services “are among the top concerns for residents”.

It said 44% of people surveyed said they were “just about getting by financially”, that 9% are “finding it very/quite difficult” and 4% had skipped a meal in the last two months due to financial hardship.

Speaking to the board, Hussain said he wanted to improve the borough’s health services, but also take steps to help keep its residents in good health.

Hussain said: “I want Newham to be a borough where people can age well, where older and disabled members of our community are supported to live independently in their own homes as long as possible.”

He added: “Good health starts with good housing, secure employment, safer neighbourhoods and connected communities.

“Prevention will always sit at the heart of everything that my administration does, whether that means supporting people with debt through our money advice service, expanding social prescribing, improving mental health support or helping residents live healthier lives through better nutrition, access to sports and community wellbeing programmes.”

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