THE government is inviting views from rural stakeholders before updating its deprivation indices.

The Department for Communities and Local Government says the aim is to update and refine the indices, including the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)

It is running a consultation asking for views on the final proposals for updating the indices.

The objectives of the update are to:

* review the indicators included in the 2010 indices to determine if they remain fit for purpose

* identify potential changes to the group of indicators in each domain where there is a clear rationale for doing so

* assess the current data landscape, such as changes to (or expiry of) previously used sources, as well as identifying new sources

* review whether the statistical methods used in the production of the 2010 indices (the shrinkage technique, factor analysis and exponential transformation) are still justified

* assess if alternative methods are available and the strengths and weaknesses of any such alternatives

The work is being carried out by Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI) for publication in summer 2015.

The updated indices will be based on the theoretical model of deprivation underpinning the 2010 indices.

They will continue to be based on the Lower-layer Super Output Area (LSOA) geography.

Changes to existing domains and sub-domains are outside the scope of the update, although there may be changes to the indicators within each domain.

To participate in the consultation exercise, please click here. The closing date for responses is 19 December 2014.