Levelling up
We know that London has its strengths and that the UK needs London to remain a top-tier global city that can attract investment, tourism, students, and talent from around the world for the benefit of the whole country.
At the same time, London also has its problems. It is the most unequal region in the UK and due to its high costs of housing, it has some of the highest levels of poverty. Due to its geography, demographics, and the types of industries that drive our economy, it has also been particularly hard hit by the pandemic.
That is why levelling up is as much of a challenge here as it is in places across the country and why we need to work hard to level up together as the following data shows.
Percentage of individuals in low income households by region
27% of Londoners are in poverty after you account for their housing costs.
Graph shows: percentage of individuals in low income households by region (2017-18 to 2019-20)
Inner London – 30%
London – 27%
Outer London – 25%
North East – 25%
West Midlands – 25%
Yorkshire and The Humber – 24%
Wales – 23%
North West – 22%
East Midlands – 20%
East of England – 19%
South East – 19%
South West - 19%
Scotland – 19%
Northern Ireland – 18%
Source: Households Below Average Income, DWP
Graphic: GLA City Intelligence
LSOAs in England and London with highest levels of deprivation
Levelling Up needs to help the most disadvantaged communities across the country.
The darkest areas of the map have the highest levels of deprivation.
LSOAs in England and London with highest levels of multiple deprivation - IMD 2019 of all areas (LSOAs) in England and Wales.
Map of England showing highest levels of multiple deprivation with a zoomed in image of greater London showing which areas are most deprived by a colour coded chart
Black - in 10% most deprived
Dark blue - in 10 to 20% most deprived
Light blue - in 20 to 50% most deprived
White - 50% most least deprived
Source: MHCLG - IMD 2019
Graphic: GLA City Intelligence
Percentage total wealth owned by households in each decline
The poorest 50% of the population own hardly any of Britain’s total wealth.
In London, the poorest half of households own just 4% of the wealth. In the rest of the country, the poorest half own just 9%.
Percentage of total wealth owned by households in each decile London vs Rest of GB (2016 to 2018).
Graph shows that the poorest half of households in London own 4% of the wealth and in the rest of the country this is 9% of households.
Source: Wealth & Assets Survey 2016-18
Graphic: GLA City Intelligence
Unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) - London vs UK, aged 16+
The unemployment rate in London has been higher than the rest of the UK for decades.
The recent pandemic has increased unemployment rates, with the steepest increases in the capital.
Graph showing unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) - London vs UK, aged 16+.
From April to June 2021 this was at 7.4% then 6.4% in London and 4.7% in the rest of the UK.
Source: Labour Force Survey, ONS
Graphic: GLA City Intelligence
London Research and Policy Partnership
The London Research and Policy Partnership hosted a series of round tables on ‘Levelling Up and London’ this autumn. You can catch up on all the policy discussions and learn more about the Partnership by visiting: https://london.ac.uk/london-research-and-policy-partnership/lrapp-events/levelling-up-and-london
Co-led by London Government and the University of London, this Partnership aims to harness the capabilities of London’s more than 40 universities with the policy-making expertise of London government.
You can also see our recent appearance with the Institute for Government on the Spending Review and Levelling Up hosted by the London Policy & Strategy Network here.
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