Employment and Skills

CLF’s jobs market has grown substantially since the economic crisis, but the changing nature of work in central London presents acute challenges for central London residents.

CLF’s labour market has performed well since the financial crisis. Over half a million jobs have been created in central London in the period 2010-15, accounting for 64% of London’s total jobs growth. The employment rate is now the highest on record, and a growing share of the newly created jobs are in high-value, highly paid sectors such as professional and business services, finance, and ICT, which alone account for 40% of jobs in central London.

Yet, CLF boroughs face several challenges that we are working collectively to address:

  • Long-term unemployment, especially among those with health conditions and disabilities
  • A hollowing out of the labour market leaving those with low or mid-level skills with limited opportunity for progression
  • A growing share of residents working in insecure and/or low-paid employment
  • The low take-up of apprenticeships across central London among residents and businesses
  • Brexit posing acute risks to key sectors of the economy

We have developed a skills strategy to support our residents to access the quality employment opportunities available in central London. Our boroughs are working together and with other local stakeholders to deliver on the recommendations included in this strategy. Additional work includes commissioning research on low pay in central London, and developing a new way for providers and employers in the health and social work sector to come together to form an outcomes-based agreement around skills.

If you would like to support this work, please get in touch.

Efa Gough

Key Resources

IPPR Skills Evidence Base

PDF

CLF Skills Strategy 2019

PDF

IES Presentation July 2020

IES research on the impact of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 on the central London labour market.

PDF

Access to employment in Central London

This research by Steer explores the geographic nature of employment in central London.

PDF

Securing the future of culture in central London amid Covid-19

Independent research commissioned by Central London Forward from BOP Consulting.

PDF

The current and future impact of COVID-19 on London’s retail and hospitality sectors

The current and future impact of COVID-19 on London’s retail and hospitality sectors. Independent research from WPI Economics on the various factors affecting the retail and hospitality sectors.

PDF

Where next for retail and hospitality in central London?

Updated research from WPI Economics on hospitality and retail.

PDF

Health and Social Care Skills and Employment Outcomes

This agreement was developed in partnership with Shared Intelligence, following engagement with local authorities, employers and skills providers.

PDF

Health & Social Care Outcomes event 21.6.2021

Health & Social Care Outcomes Agreement Launch - 21st June 2021

Video

Central London Recovery Tracker – June 2021

Central London Recovery Tracker - June 2021

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – September 2021

Tracker - September 2021

PDF

CLF – FE Funding Reform consultation response

CLF has submitted our response to proposed funding reforms to the FE system. We have highlighted that this reform should not come at the cost of London’s funding levels, and the wider role of Adult Co

PDF

CLF AEB Roadmap Response Final v1

CLF: Response to GLA Adult Education Roadmap Consultation – CLF has submitted our response to the GLA’s Adult Education Budget (AEB) Roadmap consultation. The Roadmap will set the direction for the AE

PDF

Green Jobs and Skills in London presentation

Presentation summarising the key data and analysis from the London Green Jobs and Skills report.

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – October 2021

Central London Recovery Tracker – October 2021

PDF

Interim report: Inequality and poverty in central London before and during COVID-19

This is the first stage of independent research commissioned by CLF from WPI Economics which looks at the impact of COVID-19 on inequality in health, the labour market, education and skills, business

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – January 2022

CL Recovery Tracker 2022

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – February 2022

CLF Recovery Tracker

PDF

Inequality and poverty in central London – what the future holds and what it means for policy

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – April 2022

Central London Recovery Tracker 2022

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker June 2022

Tracker June 2022

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – September 2022

CLF Tracker - September 2022

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – November 2022

CL Recovery Tracker - November 2022

PDF

CLF – Submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2021

This submission argues that central London can play a vital role in driving the national economic recovery, and in levelling up post-pandemic.

PDF

CLF Response – Work and Pensions Committee Plan for Jobs inquiry

CLF: Response to Work and Pensions Committee call for evidence on the government’s Plan for Jobs and employment support.

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – Jan 2023

CLF Recovery Tracker- January 2023

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – March 2023

CL Recovery Tracker

PDF

CLF – Summary of Submission to the CSR 2021

This submission argues that central London can play a vital role in driving the national economic recovery, and in levelling up post-pandemic.

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – May 2023

Recovery Tracker - May 2023

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – June 2023

CL Recovery Tracker - June 2023

PDF

Central London Recovery Tracker – July 2023

CL Recovery Tracker - July 2023

PDF

Local Skills Plan Report

LSIP Report - Central London

PDF