Evidence Hearing: Inclusive Growth in London

The RSA Inclusive Growth Commission will run four evidence hearings across the country during the course of its inquiry. The fourth is in London.

In conversations about devolution, the perception is often one of shifting power and money away from London. But there is a risk of overlooking the deep levels of poverty in certain parts of London, combined with the ever-increasing cost of property, childcare and travel. Although London is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, there are deep frictions between some different cultures and groups - and with only five of the 32 boroughs voting to leave the EU, we want to explore what the challenges are for creating inclusive growth within and around London. 

The RSA’s Inclusive Growth Commission is exploring how to best make local economies across the UK more economically inclusive and prosperous, through a series of seminars, research, case studies, evidence hearings and a call for evidence.

We want to make sure that what we're exploring resonates with the people who live and work in London, and is grounded in real experiences. 

In particular, we want to ask:

• The nature of the challenge of creating inclusive growth within the city and neighbouring smaller towns, including the particular barriers – sectors, skills, history and economic geography (e.g.) – to inclusive growth and how this impacts on households, firms and communities; 
• The extent to which local businesses, civil society organisations and public sector partners are already trying to tackle these challenges and to what effect, as well as what else they might need to do to support inclusive growth;
• What has been the impact of industrial decline on the economic participation and living standards of people in Barking and Dagenham? 
• The extent to which devolution proposals will support additional growth, the nature of that growth and what further powers and fiscal/financial levers could enhance the ability to create more inclusive growth over the longer term; and, 
• What else central government might need to do, or do differently, to enable Barking and Dagenham to become a more inclusive economy?

Those giving evidence at the London evidence hearing are:

• Chris Naylor, Chief Executive, Barking and Dagenham Council
• Cllr Dominic Twomey, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Growth and Investment, Barking and Dagenham Council
• Catherine McGuiness, Deputy Chairman and Director, City of London and London Works
• Janis Davies, Principal, Sydney Russell School
• John Dishman, Chief Executive, Coventry University College
• Yvonne Kelly, Acting CEO and Principal, Barking and Dagenham College
• Pastor Ade Adesina, Power House International Ministries 
• Onjali Rauf, Founder and Chief Executive, Making Herstory
• Rita Chadha, Chief Executive, RAMFEL
• Erika Jenkins, Chief Executive, Barking and Dagenham CVS 

 

A full write up of the evidence hearing will be available afterwards on our website.

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To find out more contact inclusivegrowth@rsa.org.uk or visit www.thersa.org/inclusivegrowthcommission.