This month London Plus published the interim findings from the London Good Work Commissions four-month long investigation into poverty and bad work across the capital. Also included in this month’s update, are details of the Mayor’s Survey of Londoners highlighting the social and economic challenges facing the capital and the Learning and Work institute research findings.

Sector Updates

London Good Work Commission releases interim findings

Over the past four months, the London Good Work Commission has been investigating the extent and nature of both poverty and bad work in London. Our research and findings show a capital that is shamed by vast and chronic levels of poverty. In fact, we have the highest levels in the country, with 28% of people (2.4 million), currently languishing in poverty. That shockingly includes 700,000 children. The interim findings are available on our website. And if you’re a bit of short for time, here’s a quick read blog.

Survey of Londoners reveals city’s social and economic challenges

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has published the most comprehensive survey of Londoners ever, setting out the social and economic challenges facing the capital and revealing that four in 10 Londoners owe money on unsecured debts. For the first time, the survey brings together data on London’s equality, social integration and economic fairness, as well as people’s access to food to provide an accurate picture of the challenges facing the capital.

‘More apprenticeships for prisoners would cut the £15bn annual bill for reoffending’, say employment and skills bodies

A new report has called for a cross-government approach to enable more prisoners to take up apprenticeship opportunities while still in prison, improving their chance of finding sustainable employment on their release. Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) and Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) have put forward a series of recommendations to kickstart the Prisoner Apprenticeship Pathway which was first proposed in a Ministry of Justice white paper in 2016.

Employers and public services must adapt to support young people to adapt to a rapidly changing labour market

Learning and Work Institute research shows young people are increasingly likely to be self-employed, in busier jobs, and need to update their skills, as a result of longer working lives and technological change. Young people are likely to have 50 year careers and face big changes in the world of work, a new report from Learning and Work Institute shows. It finds that the UK’s 2030 workforce is likely to be more diverse, with more women and disabled people in work, and a growth in the number of people with caring responsibilities. Self-employment in areas such as the gig economy is likely to grow too, and rising demand for skills means young people without good qualifications could struggle to find work or build a career.

Funding Opportunities 

Moving on Up in Newham

Moving on Up is a Trust for London initiative, in partnership with City Bridge Trust and Black Training and Enterprise Group, designed to help young black men to find jobs and careers in London’s competitive labour market. Its ambition is to increase the employment rate for economically active young black men in London from 64% in 2014 to 84% by 2020. Moving on Up is inviting applications from organisations to deliver work in Newham. Applications close on Friday 26th July at 1pm.

GLA/ESF funding opportunities: Head 2Work

The Head 2Work project will support young Londoners aged 18 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). They may have other specific complex needs or characteristics of disadvantage, which increases the risk of them experiencing reduced opportunities, low incomes and unemployment later in life. The project will help young people to build their confidence and skills through social action and volunteering, working directly with business mentors and employers and receiving employability training. These activities will support their transition into sustained employment, education or training. The deadline for submitting applications is 5pm on Friday 19 July 2019.