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Social value planning is at its strongest when it’s rooted in accurate, up-to-date insight. That’s why we’ve moved quickly to bring the newly released 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation data straight into the Thrive Local Needs Analysis tool. Users can now make faster, more confident decisions about where their activities will deliver the greatest impact—while still accessing 2019 data for ongoing commitments. With one click, you can compare how local priorities have changed and shape bids that reflect real, current community need.
What has changed in IMD 2025?
As we explained in the previous blog, the government’s October update refreshes IMD data for all 33,755 LSOAs in England — the first major release since 2019. It includes new results and updates to how several indicators are measured, giving a clearer, more current picture of deprivation across multiple domains.
All of this new intelligence has now been incorporated into the Thrive platform’s Local Needs Analysis tool.
Can I still use IMD 2019 for active contracts?
Yes, and you can switch between IMD 2025 and IMD 2019 instantly.
Many users continue to work with IMD 2019 for live reporting cycles and legacy contracts. Just as we added one-click switching between PPN06/20 and PPN 002 models, you can now toggle between IMD datasets just as easily. This allows you to build new bids with the most current insights while still meeting obligations tied to older data.
A simple drop-down selector lets you compare shifts over time — for example, how one LSOA in St Neots has changed across key indicators since 2019.
Why does this update matter for social value planning?
Having access to IMD 2025 means you can base your decisions on the most recent and accurate evidence available. You can quickly identify the areas experiencing the highest levels of deprivation, understand how needs have evolved over the past six years, and target your interventions where they will have the greatest impact.
This leads to stronger justification in bids, more precise planning, and better outcomes for the communities you support.
What does the Local Needs Analysis tool now provide?
The LNA tool doesn’t just show the data — it interprets it for you.
It does this by providing carefully-calibrated recommendations for the most impactful interventions in each area:
- Suggested social value-generating activities and the reasons why they create social value – from creating training opportunities in low-skill areas to reducing CO2 emissions where air pollution levels are high
- A score from 1 to 5, indicating how much impact each activity could be expected to have in that area
- Which Domains of Deprivation and Impact Evaluation Standard metrics these activities would contribute to
How quickly is Thrive supporting IMD 2025?
The new IMD data was added to Thrive just days after the government’s official release on 30 October. This rapid turnaround ensures you can plan and respond using the latest information without delay.
Who can access the new feature?
All current LNA users now have access to both IMD 2025 and IMD 2019 datasets at no extra cost. If you’re not yet using the LNA tool but want to understand how updated deprivation insight can strengthen your social value strategy, speak to your Customer Success Manager or reach out via the contact form
Alan Boyce
Senior Researcher More articles by Alan >
