The seat has been a bellwether since the result in 1983. Included are above county-average levels of social housing,[2] underemployment and unemployment as at the 2001 census and the associated 2000 Index of Multiple Deprivation;[3] however, the new town has brought growth sustained in part by more commuting, with an increasingly-used and separate Mill station in the London Commuter Belt, and has seen a 9.2% increase in the number of apartments to 2011, which brings the proportion of the housing market made up by flats and apartments to 23.8%.[2]
History
This seat was created for the February 1974 general election from the abolished seat of Epping, and has been subject only to minor changes since.
Boundaries and boundary changes
1974–1983
The Urban District of Harlow; and
The Rural District of Epping and Ongar parishes of Magdalen Laver, Matching, Nazeing, North Weald Bassett, Roydon, and Sheering.[4]
1983–1997
The District of Harlow; and
The District of Epping Forest wards of Nazeing, North Weald Bassett, Roydon, and Sheering.[5]