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PROGRESSIVE: Oxford (Photo credit: Google Maps)

IN A new study based on how residents respond to social and environmental issues, Oxford has been branded the “wokest” place in the UK.

“Woke”, added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2017 is defined as being 'aware' or 'well informed' in a political or cultural sense.

Consumer financial services company Bankrate carried out the survey, giving 50 UK cities a score out of five in seven separate categories, covering sustainability and environmental awareness, as well as socio-political issues.

Oxford came in first achieving 23.82 overall. Brighton & Hove came in second scoring 23.33, Bath third with a total of 22.31 and Cambridge ranked fourth with 21.87.

Bankrate said of the top-performing cities: "Whether it’s a green-minded commitment to recycling, a strong voter turnout, or ensuring that the ethnic diversity of the city is represented in local government, these cities have not just woken up to their duty to encourage a socially aware community, but they are staying woke by ensuring continued progress.”

The survey found Oxford as a whole displays a great amount of care towards the environment. The city has very high recycling rates and last month, Vert2Go launched the city's first fully electric private hire vehicle, becoming the first ULEV Private Hire Proprietor in the city. The city also had the highest vegan and vegetarian restaurants per capita.

On the flip side, Oxford scored poorly in the council diversity category, scoring just 2.3 as a result of their minimal BAME and female representatives at local council level.