The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has published this report which outlines the situation for communities in ex-coalfield areas. Nearly all of Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham fall within this, though it obviously includes other areas such as the North East and South Wales.

If you are looking for evidence of need for a funding bid, there are some important figures in there, for example:

• 7.9 per cent of all coalfield residents claim Disability Living Allowance, compared to 5.6 per cent across Britain as a whole and 4.3 per cent in the South East. 
• 14 per cent – one-in-seven – of all adults of working age in the coalfields are out-of-work and in receipt of benefits

The report is here.