Some big changes happen without fanfare. One good example is the growth in jobs in Southwark.
Since 2010, we have created 74,000 more. A huge increase that has improved the lives of thousands of local people.
Now we are working hard to create even more.
So what are we doing to make that happen?
Let’s start with our highstreets. Last week I launched our £1.4 million Thriving High Streets Fund. This is money that will fund projects to make our town centres and shopping parades better places for everyone. With more and better jobs.
Our highstreets are already one of the great things about Southwark. Whether you are looking for fruit and veg from one of our markets, a meal out or something unique from one of the many of independent shops in our borough – there is something for everyone.
However, we can’t take that for granted. The pandemic and the rise of online shopping mean highstreets across the country are facing big challenges. That’s why we are investing in ours. So our local business and communities can thrive.
It’s not just highstreets that we are investing in. We are backing Southwark residents to create new businesses too.
If you are looking to start or grow a business, then our Pioneer Fund could be for you. With free advice and small grants. It has helped over 200 local businesses so far, yours could be next.
We are also working to grow key industries that generate good quality jobs.
That includes more jobs in our green industries. Doing vital work like making local homes and offices more energy efficient, installing heat pumps, planting more trees and creating innovative solutions to help cut carbon emissions and clean up our air. We are on track to create 5,000 jobs in these growth industries here in Southwark. Plus we’ve launched a green skills centre to make sure local residents can take up these jobs too.
Life sciences are another of Southwark’s strengths, thanks to our brilliant hospitals and universities. We are working with them through our SC1 partnership to create more jobs in health and care research, innovation and services. Work that will also help to improve health and care for Southwark residents.
We know it is important to help local people into the jobs we create.
Southwark Works is our free service to help you find a job. Since 2014, they have helped over 10,000 people into work. Unlike the Job Centre, there are no hoops to jump through. They are just there to help you if you need them.
We’re also investing in Skills. This year alone we have already created 385 apprenticeships in Southwark. We’ve been one of the top performing boroughs for creating apprenticeships for many years and that is set to continue.
Our paid internships programme is also giving young people a leg up. Since May 2022, we have created 78. They offer a first step on the career ladder for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and are proving a huge success. Having met many of the young people who have taken these up, I’ve heard directly from them about how effective these role are in helping them start on their career path.
It is not just the number of jobs we are improving. Our work on the Living Wage has already helped thousands of people to get a pay rise. Now we are setting up a ‘Living Wage Unit’ to lift even more people out of low pay, by doubling the number of businesses in Southwark paying at least the London Living wage of £11.95 per hour to all their staff. This work will lift thousands more people out of poverty.
All of this work adds up. A decade ago, there were fewer jobs than working age people in Southwark. Now we have four jobs for every three working age people in our borough. That success is changing local lives, with unemployment in Southwark down from one in ten a decade ago, to less than one in twenty today. It’s a fantastic example of the positive difference we are making, thanks to the local businesses, communities and the council working together.