Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London

www.wla.londonBuild and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 1 Map of West London Foreword

KEY West London boasts a proud history of being at the forefront of 24 innovation, leading the way nationally in growth sectors, technology and the green economy. COLINDALE/ BURNT OAK WHO’S 3 With a pre-Covid19 GVA of £74bn, the West London economy has been hit hard by the 12 HERE 11 pandemic. An extra 71,000 people claiming benefits in May 2020 compared to the same HEART OF HARROW time last year – a 200% increase. More than 280,000 residents furloughed – that’s more than

HARINGEY a quarter of all those in the capital. 19 Golden Mile-Southall Crossrail Link BRENT CROSS Heathrow Southern Rail Link 13 The impact on our communities and businesses has been colossal. Entrepreneurs and 26 21 micro businesses as well as those working in the aviation, retail, transport sectors and the WEMBLEY 20 PARK supply chain, are amongst the hardest hit.

23 There are solutions and we can build back better.

PARK 25 ROYAL Council Leaders across West London have mobilised quickly to drive economic recovery by working in collaboration on shared priorities: Growth sectors, Aviation communities, Skills 5 and employment, Entrepreneurs and micro businesses, A Green recovery, Town centres and 4 Housing and infrastructure. Elizabeth Line 15 14 WHITE Crossrail link CITY 6 We are determined to mitigate the damage caused by COVID-19 and to support all our SOUTHALL 27 communities, especially those hardest hit. As a group of councils, we have a track record of 18 1 EARLS 2 28 8 9 7 COURT & WEST innovation and delivery, exceeding targets for delivering housing and developing new 22 10 KENSINGTON approaches to supporting residents into employment and raising skill levels. 16 GREAT WEST CORRIDOR We welcome the help announced by the government so far – particularly the investment in de-carbonisation and youth employment. However, further targeted interventions set out in our plan are urgently needed.

22 Southern 17 Working closely with the Mayor and other local authorities across London we are keen to Rail link align the aspirations of our Build & Recover plan with the London Recovery Board’s work on economic recovery through its mission-based approach. Particularly strong opportunities for collaboration and co-ordination exist across our themes on town centre, skills and employment, green recovery and microbusinesses and entrepreneurs.

The crisis is a once in a generation opportunity to create a greener economy with better and more sustainable jobs. A newly established Economic Recovery Task Force will deliver our bold and ambitious plan.

1 Sky 7 Olympia London 13 London Designer Outlet 19 Amgen 25 Park Royal Food Cluster

2 GSK 8 Disney Corporate Office 14 Ealing Studios 20 Vitabiotics 26 Wembley Stadium Councillor Stephen Cowan

3 Middlesex University 9 Fox Networks Group 15 BBC Studios 21 Coca Cola 27 Westfield London Chair, West London Economic Prosperity Board

4 Brunel University 10 Discovery Corporate Office 16 British Airways Headquarters 22 Starbucks 28 SEGA Europe

5 Imperial College London 11 Angels Fancy Dress 17 Rolls Royce 23 Bucks New University

6 University of West London 12 Pentland Brands Limited 18 Celgene Ltd 24 Ipsos MORI

2 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 3 Executive Summary

With a pre-Covid19 GVA of £74bn, the West London economy was bigger than opportunity to re-think our long-term aspirations • Support for micro-businesses and the Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow combined and is a vital engine of the UK economy, for West London, kick-starting the low carbon self-employed, who are at risk of ‘falling contributing 4% of national GVA. But its economy has been among the country’s economy, taking advantage of permanently between the cracks’ of existing support. altered working patterns to revitalise our town hardest hit, and decisive action is needed to kick-start recovery for the benefit of centres, and tapping into the entrepreneurial spirit Working closely with the Mayor and other local the UK more widely. This Build and Recover Plan aims to ensure that the 350,000 of West Londoners. In creating the conditions authorities across London we will seek to align people furloughed or newly claiming benefits can return to work quickly; that our for this transformation, through investment in the aspirations and themes of our Build & businesses are equipped to weather the storm; and that council, government and infrastructure and skills, we will need to ensure that Recover plan with the missions being established private investment work together to drive a green recovery. the damage to communities is limited and growth by the London Recovery Board. opportunities are widely shared. The West London economy comprises core growth The Build and Recover Plan is structured around sectors that will help to retain the UK’s position in Given the current and potential future impact of seven themes: the global economy and it includes 11 Opportunity the Covid19 outbreak on West London’s economy, • Growth Sectors Areas in the London Plan. As the world’s gateway there is a pressing need for intervention to mitigate to Britain it is home to leading biopharma these impacts both on the economy and on West • Aviation Communities companies, creative industries, tech and digital London’s disadvantaged communities, particularly • Skills and Employment leaders, environmental innovators and a strong in BAME communities who have been hardest hit • Entrepreneurs and Micro businesses healthcare sector. The long-term sustainability by the pandemic. of these sectors has been demonstrated, and • A Green Recovery these companies must be supported through the • Town Centres impact of Covid19 as an investment in the UK’s The Build & Recover plan sets out how future. West London needs support to build on the this can be addressed jointly at the sub- • Housing and Infrastructure success of its world class institutions, diversify, and regional level, complementing individual Each theme captures activities either underway grow out STEM and green industries businesses. boroughs’ and wider partners’ efforts. Major national and international assets include or which are within boroughs’ collective resources Heathrow Airport, the creative and digital hub at and powers to deliver in support of recovery, and sets out what more is required to address recovery White City and the huge potential of Old Oak/Park The subregion has particular exposure to sectors We welcome the help announced by the at the necessary scale and pace – including policy Royal, as well as developments such as Wembley, and businesses especially likely to be affected by government so far – particularly the investment in flexibilities, repurposing of existing funding and Brent Cross, the Great West Corridor and Southall the pandemic. In particular, the near closure of de-carbonisation and youth employment. However, provision of additional funding. providing thousands of new homes and jobs. But Heathrow – the UK’s largest single site employer further targeted interventions are urgently needed, West London is the worst affected part of London – has impacted transport and storage jobs (40% in particular: in terms of economic impacts of Covid19, and is of London’s jobs in this sector are based in West • Creation of an Aviation Communities Fund, among the hardest hit in the UK. London) and several firms providing foods and bringing together capital and revenue support services for the airport. Other major employment for those communities severely damaged by the sectors in the region, such as wholesale, retail and decline in aviation Has seen an extra 71,000 people manufacturing, have also been hit hard by the claiming benefits in May compared to pandemic. The large number of micro-businesses • Investment to scale up our successful skills the same time last year – a three-fold – usually a strength for West London – further escalator programme increase. More than 280,000 residents increases the sub-regions vulnerability. • Greater flexibility over use of existing funding have been furloughed – more than a The impact on our communities of these economic streams such as Apprenticeship Levy changes cannot be underestimated. However, quarter of all those in the capital. • Investment in infrastructure such as the Covid19 also provides a once in a generation West London Orbital rail line and Fibre / 5G

4 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 5 West London is The impact of Covid19 set to suffer a downturn worse on West London than any other part of London

West London is one of the country’s most dynamic sub-regions. Pre-Covid-19 its West London’s economy is taking a huge knock, 93% of businesses economy was larger than those of Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow combined and but we have the foundations for renewed growth in West London are micro businesses its contribution to the UK economy will ensure lasting prosperity for local people, bigger, more inclusive and sustainable – and better for the UK – than before. London and the UK as a whole. West London is an enterprise hot spot: 164,900 But it is being hit hard by the pandemic. Across our West London is the most globally connected place self-employed & 104,00 micro businesses. Self- seven boroughs the numbers of people claiming in London, attracting investment from firms in employment rates (15%) are higher than London Universal Credit have almost doubled since growth sectors from across the world, helping the & the UK (13%). Enterprise has been the route into February and over 280,000 West London residents UK position itself internationally and moving people the labour market for BAME residents (52% of our have been furloughed – more than a quarter of and goods around the globe. World-class research population), many of whom trade in hospitality & all those in the capital. Our economy is so hard hit at universities, like Imperial and Brunel, will support retail (14.9% of all West London jobs) badly affected because it relies particularly on the sectors most the evolution of the national economy in fields by Covid19. Parallel to this 16.4% of jobs are in affected by the pandemic. Heathrow – the largest such as cleantech and zero carbon, digital and growth sectors; professional, scientific & ICT which single site employer in the country – has seen a 97% data, and there are growth opportunities across with 0-9 employees have been badly affected. fall in passenger numbers; this has affected not the subregion, where our councils are supporting only those working at the airport, but also a huge development to provide over 100,000 new homes range of related sectors and supply chain. and commercial space for over 140,000 jobs. Within London, West London accounts for... Delivering these schemes will draw on skills and material from across the country.

Two out of every five jobs in transport and storage within London 97% fall in passenger numbers A quarter of wholesale & retail jobs at Heathrow Fall in GVA%

9.2 North West 9 Yorkshire and England West London 8.8 Humberside

North East A third of manufacturing jobs >280,000

8.6 England West London 8.4 residents have been 8.2 of the country’s GVA furloughed 8 4% is from West London 7.8

6 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 7 COUNCILS WILL KEY FACTS Work collaboratively to support central Government Growth Sectors in strengthening West London as a growth sector Research from Oxford innovation district with the ambition of achieving Economics (OE) forecasts that inclusive economic growth. boroughs in West London with AIMS THE IMPACT • Utilising the collective strengths of WL boroughs, a higher proportion of high the area has the opportunity to develop a growth growth businesses, such as West London has the opportunity to develop a 1. Kick start the local and national economy sectors ‘innovation district’ spanning WL and H&F (6.2%) and Hounslow growth sectors ‘innovation district’ spanning the 2. Create a longer trajectory of job growth by branching out across the country subregion and branching out across the country. will be better positioned to focussing investment on long term resilient At the heart of the district are a series of sector- • Use our £8m investment in digital connectivity bounce back from the sectors specific clusters that collaborate to provide so businesses can innovate with 5G and impacts of Covid19 government, academia and industry a testbed for 3. Construct pathways for economic mobility by cloud computing providing opportunities for people to re-skill cross-sector research and innovation. The UK’s tech sector’s GVA and up-skill and supporting them into better Support HEIs to invest in supporting business contribution pre-Covid19 was Short term paid, more resilient work growth by: growing six times faster than 4. Expand the UK’s competitiveness. • Support businesses who have been negatively • Setting-up a WL Growth Sectors Steering Group that of the wider economy impacted by Covid19 with an active involvement of businesses and HEIs • Maximise opportunities for businesses that • Extending the impact of UK Research and Pre-Covid19 it was estimated have experienced growth during Covid19, such Innovation programmes by opening access to STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT that AI could add an additional as digital technology and life sciences borough assets, services, data and supply chains £630bn to the UK economy by for innovators to test, trial and develop emerging 2035, increasing the annual Longer term technologies and business models at scale “Imperial College London are committed growth rate of GVA from 2.5 • Accelerate the growth of high value sectors to working in partnership with the West to 3.9% • Promote innovation London Alliance to strengthen the west London economy and its key growth • Scale-up businesses to create sustainable Life sciences companies, high-value jobs sectors. We have a shared mission to such as West London based drive inclusive growth, innovation and Novartis and GSK, generate an enterprise, contributing to a thriving annual turnover of £74bn (pre- local economy and society.” Covid19) and employs close to a quarter of million people in Professor Neil Alford, Associate Provost the UK (Academic Planning).

OPPORTUNITIES AND from West London incubators such as I-HUB access to assets (such as street furniture) and • Provide grant funding for a West London led (Imperial College), Westmont Enterprise Hub co-invest with the private sector West London programme of place based Small Business INVESTMENTS (University of West London), Central Research scale deployments of 5G use cases such as Research Initiative (SBRI) challenges to create Laboratory (Brunel University). The equity real time logistics and traffic management and opportunities for business innovation in To maximize the West London growth fund should be held sub-regionally with equity remote healthcare applications growth sectors opportunities, we propose working with central growth / dividends shared between central and • Work with Innovate UK private / Venture Capital • Create an open access e-services platform to Government in order to: local govt sector to identity gaps in finance as a result provide SMEs with digital identities to allow • Provide equity funding to replace venture • Launch a 5G investment fund to digitise and of Covid19 and provide a range of funding them to access cutting edge legal and fintech capital in early stage and downstream spin offs streamline wayleave processes to provide initiatives to fill those gaps services to drive productivity improvements

8 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 9 COUNCILS WILL KEY FACTS Aviation Communities • Reassess land use and development opportunities • Heathrow is West London’s around the Airport given the significant delay or largest employer and the largest cancellation of a 3rd runway, taking forward the single site employer in the UK principles set out in the Heathrow Strategic Planning Group’s Joint Strategic Planning Framework AIMS THE IMPACT • There are approximately • Accelerate the capital model to focus on low skilled There are two urgent aims: Heathrow Airport is West London’s dominant 130,751* direct, indirect and workers at Heathrow and associated businesses’ economic asset. Its near closure is the single induced jobs in the Heathrow • Minimise job losses, with the major aviation employees recently unemployed or at risk of biggest risk for West London. Heathrow’s impact is employers and through the wider supply chain redundancy travel to work area. Of these an not just directly on airport and airline related jobs, to micro businesses, SMEs and struggling local estimated 75,397 are in Ealing, (e.g. catering, maintenance, customer service and • Scale up the Work and Health Programme to provide high streets Hillingdon and Hounslow handling) but also its impacts on indirect jobs (e.g. support to most vulnerable redundant Heathrow and • Support BAME residents and those most at risk of hotels, car hire) and jobs from induced spend in associated businesses’ employees a loss of livelihood due to Heathrow’s downturn • 1 in 10 jobs in West London are local communities. • Ensure quick-turnaround job brokerage and support in transportation and storage – focussed on the most affected groups, Heathrow and In the medium to long term, we aim to drive a Heathrow job losses will hit the most vulnerable the transition to a green economy more than double the UK and sustainable recovery and growth by: as they are concentrated in sectors that are more London average – and many of • Make investment and conduct further analysis on the • Reskilling and upskilling redundant and existing likely to employ lower skilled, lower paid workers. opportunities for green economy/green aviation jobs these are linked to Heathrow Heathrow employees in lowskilled jobs These workers are more likely to either be male and with dependents, or to be younger and through Heathrow and its associated supply chain • Driving diversification and new business models working part time. Targeted support now could • Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow for businesses in Heathrow’s supply chain help remove barriers to future employment and STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT are projected to have the • Supporting realignment of the subregional limit the creation of long-term structural issues that largest decreases in jobs in logistics sector impact communities and residents for decades. As a big local employer, Heathrow is working closely West London (-4.7%, -4.3% and • Ensuring sustainable airport recovery, with local partners on our recovery plan to protect -4.2% respectively), worse than underpinned by green aviation and the the local skills base and maximise quality jobs that London (-2.8%) and the UK green economy will help drive forward a sustained recovery for local (-3.2%) as a whole communities in West London. • Forecasts for the British air Becky Coffin, Director of Communities, Heathrow Airports Ltd passenger market suggest the volume of passenger flows will not return to 2019 levels OPPORTUNITIES AND b. Additional government investment to recognise c. Support to entrepreneurs and micro-businesses until 2023** INVESTMENTS the particularly acute issues faced by aviation to re-focus on opportunities outside the airport communities eco-system • 11.8% of Hounslow and 10% • Give councils a voice in the aviation debate, c. Part ly diverting environmental levies (such as the • Infrastructure investment including: of Ealing’s economically active planned Heathrow Access Charge) to the fund; including representation on the airports a. Transport links connecting communities to residents are in jobs related and introducing new ones (e.g. a community levy round table employment hubs, e.g. the West London Orbital to the Heathrow supply chain on every plane ticket) • Establish an Aviation Communities Fund to Rail Line including the Park Royal • Revenue investment including: support revenue and capital investment b. Digital infrastructure to support growth sectors Industrial Estate, where many a. Skills development and training, with a focus on • The fund would be made up by: c. Local infrastructure priorities to ensure continued food manufacturers serve opportunities in growth sectors, e.g. the green a. Focusing existing schemes on aviation economic activity, e.g. rebuild of Hillingdon Heathrow, and micro-businesses economy communities, e.g. Kick Start, the Work and Health hospital in high streets provide services Programme extension, and more flexible use of b. Expansion of the successful West London Skills to Heathrow’s employees the Apprenticeship Levy and Home Building Fund Escalator Programme *HSPG Joint Evidence Base and Infrastructure Study **Tourism Economics and IATA

10 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 11 COUNCILS WILL KEY FACTS • Develop a ‘single front door’ approach for those seeking Skills and Employment work or re-skilling/upskilling, focusing on groups hardest The 2019 working age hit by Covid19 population of the seven West London boroughs stood at • Facilitate improved sharing of labour market and skills AIMS THE IMPACT needs data, enabling skills providers to respond to need 1.36m, 76.6% of whom were in employment Through smarter, more targeted use of funding • A reduction in unemployment and a faster • Adapt our Skills Escalator model to support the newly and policy we aim to enable a recovery in which reduction in Universal Credit claimants than unemployed back into work GDP fall in London expected entrenched disadvantage is addressed and elsewhere in London • Support employers to take on apprentices and inclusion and wellbeing promoted. to be 7%, this rises to 9% for • Those losing jobs reskilled for jobs of the future utilise levy to enable upskilling in work West London We aim to support: (including those furloughed) • Encourage investment in green and digital skills • All residents losing work or at risk of job loss, • Increased availability of skills programmes • Secure jobs/apprenticeships in the construction industry, Jobs in West London are using early intervention methods, with a focus • More apprenticeships – especially in growth improving collaboration to ensure levers via s106 on those most adversely affected by the impact expected to contract by at sectors – and increased employer take-up agreements are used to best effect of Covid19 and with a particular emphasis on least 41,000 jobs in 2020 – residents of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic • Strategic use of Section 106 monies to support • Explore scope for boroughs’ existing adult education a greater contraction than (BAME) backgrounds skills for growth sectors provision to support a reskilling offer elsewhere in London or in • Employers in creating jobs and training • More employment outcomes from skills provision the UK – with a chance that funded from the Adult Education Budget opportunities for new and existing staff West London Higher Education institutions strongly recovery to jobs growth could • A legacy of improved local alignment between support the Build and Recovery Plan. We are committed start as late as 2022 demand for and supply of skills to supporting activities that create growth and innovation but also to playing a full part in enhancing Unemployment expected to STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT the skills of our local community. As well as traditional increase by 2.2% to around Undergraduate and Postgraduate study Universities 7% (over 30,000 additional “The Further Education Colleges of West London support delivery against other themes including offer opportunities as varied as Continuous Professional unemployed) support and endorse the aims of this plan. We those aimed at supporting aviation communities, Development, Degree Apprenticeships, Top Up Degrees have committed to work with Councils and entrepreneurs and micro-businesses and growth and Part Time study. Universities are able to offer real West London boroughs other partners on the delivery of this plan and sectors such as the green economy.” opportunities for companies and individuals looking report an extra 71,000 people have particularly committed to support the to Up-skill or Re-skill in response to the economic claiming Universal Credit in skills and employment theme where we can Darren Mepham, Chief Executive, Barnet & Southgate challenges posed by Covid 19. May compared to 2019 College on behalf of the Principals of all Further play a central role. We have also committed to Prof. Julia Buckingham CBE Vice-Chancellor and President of Education Colleges of West London (200%+ increase) Brunel University London Based on previous years’ figures, more than 5,200 school OPPORTUNITIES AND and employment programmes skills to get back into good work and college leavers completing INVESTMENTS • Reallocation of unspent Section 106 funding to • Increased provision of ESOL support for self-employed Year 13 in West London (28%) support skills and employment programmes, and owner managers of micro businesses could be seeking work Policy flexibilities to allow the: rather than being returned to developers • Enhanced partnership working with DWP locally, • Full flexibility over the Apprenticeship Levy and • Adult Education Budget to support our reskilling delivering an appropriately funded, scaled-up devolution of unspent funds to West London to and employment support offer more extensively employment support offer building on our own allow for support for wider upskilling/reskilling existing local services, co-ordinated sub-regionally, Investment in reskilling/upskilling to allow: and to be used as a wage subsidy with a focus on employer engagement, co-location, • Scaling up and rolling out of our Skills Escalator • Community Infrastructure Levy to support skills triage and referrals to ensure all those in need get model to support newly unemployed people with the most suitable support quickly

12 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 13 COUNCILS WILL KEY FACTS • Increase the capacity of local agencies to advise Entrepreneurs self-employed & micro businesses on accessing West London is an government programmes enterprise hot spot: and Micro businesses 164,900 self-employed & • Increase access to HEI knowledge transfer and innovation provision 104,00 micro businesses • Address skill needs; embed HMRC/BEIS into AIMS THE IMPACT ESOL provision, provide targeted digital training Self-employment rates (15%) Increase productivity and job creation, by The impact will be measured by jobs created, to increase productivity are higher than London & the UK (13%) increasing skills levels of owner managers and jobs safeguarded, reductions in the claimant • Develop incubation and accelerator workspace self employed in “traditional” enterprise entry count, productivity and GVA up, business growth in empty shops to develop skills start-ups & businesses & accelerate growth in our (turnover and recruitment) up, economic activity micro-businesses, enable testing products & Enterprise has been the route growth sectors. levels up, vacancy rates in town centres and foster links with schools / FE into the labour market for district centres down, claimant count down, • Provide ESOL support for self-employed and BAME residents (52% of our ESOL / digital skills gaps down. owner managers of micro businesses population), many of whom trade in hospitality & retail STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT (14.9% of all West London jobs) which have been badly “West London universities can support affected by Covid19 the WLA proposals. They are already engaged in programmes to promote Parallel to this 16.4% of innovation and increase knowledge jobs are in growth sectors; transfer. professional, scientific & ICT

It is vital that our local authority partners can flexibly deploy existing and new funds to ensure business support & incubation capacity is scaled up & upskilling programmes are aligned to growth areas”

Andrew Dakers, Chief Executive, West London Business

OPPORTUNITIES AND accelerator, incubation and knowledge transfer • HMRC and BEIS to test trial relaxations in INVESTMENTS provision in West London. the regulatory framework in West London to determine whether this would have a • Full flexibility over the Apprenticeship Levy and We are asking for flexibilities in the use of positive impact in respect of business growth, devolution of unspent funds to West London funding to deliver our programmes, including: safeguarding jobs & job creation. to allow for support for ESOL, digital and other • Using the Shared UK Prosperity Fund to training needs of the self-employed and owner- • Extended business support to reduce the replace EU funding to support the growth of managers. (circa 9% of ESOL clients are potential ‘cliff edge’ end to the furlough scheme self-employed).

14 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 15 COUNCILS WILL KEY FACTS • Promote and enable take-up of the Green Homes A Green Recovery Grant scheme across West London, working Pre-COVID, the circular economy with existing local schemes where possible and in West London contributed £270m capitalising on the opportunities for business in GVA, accounting for 3% of the growth, job creation and skills development to AIMS THE IMPACT overall UK circular economy. From complement the environmental benefits the £90m of new activity in West • Support retrofitting to high energy-efficient Based on West London’s share of England’s overall • Support delivery of the Public Sector De- London in repair, re-purpose and standards and development of low carbon private housing stock, some £64m of the overall carbonisation scheme, encouraging take-up across heating networks £2bn Green Homes Grant monies could come to the re-use, 1,500 direct jobs were the wider public sector in West London sub-region; facilitating a similar scheme across social created, plus many supporting • Enable West London to be a national leader in housing could see a further £36m for West London. • Work with further education providers to key elements of the green economy roles, with significant potential encourage investment in green skills The Green Finance Institute estimates that the scale to grow. • Redefine town centres and neighbourhoods of retrofit works necessary will support more than • Accelerate shovel-ready infrastructure projects as low carbon, low pollution economic hubs, 150,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers, UK-wide, aligned with growth sector ambitions and skills and through a systemic change to town planning London has the lowest percentage across the hard-hit construction supply chain. training initiatives to re-skill a workforce in green nationally of the workforce already infrastructure projects Cambridge Economics suggest that a retrofitting aligned with a low carbon economy, programme focused on improving the energy • Explore increasing carbon-offset tax rates for all at just 8.9%, suggesting potential efficiency of all homes to ‘EPC Band C’ by 2035 new developments to meaningful levels that will to grow. would create around 108,000 net jobs annually, encourage more on-site measures and/or collect UK wide, throughout the 2020s. more income for zero-carbon measures Walking and cycling improvements in town • Use our status as ‘anchor institutions’ to lead by centres have been found to increase retail spend example by making our procurement policies by up to 30%. more favourable to low carbon suppliers De-carbonising heat is a major infrastructure and • Re-define town centres and high streets as low engineering challenge, and presents a significant carbon economic hubs where everyone can live, opportunity for investment, skills and jobs in the work and meet their needs within a 15-minute green economy. bike or walk, using communication channels to promote this vision and working with local partners such as Business Improvement Districts

STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES AND delivering low carbon jobs, growth and investment INVESTMENTS • A Future Homes Standard that requires all new “Delivering a green recovery in West London will be a team effort. Local government buildings to be zero carbon from 2025, and enables will be an agent of change, but it is partnerships with business and communities that • Building on the Green Homes Grants and councils to continue to be able to set higher will build an effective legacy for a net zero future. A collective focus on the delivery of Public Sector De-carbonisation Scheme, allow requirements for energy efficiency than national development and infrastructure must be maintained, but the Recover and Build Plan local government to identify and use flexible standards where practical and demonstrably viable financing and investment models to support demonstrates that West London has all of the ingredients to become a leading green our ambitions for retrofit and create investable • Develop a West London led programme of place- economy nationally.” propositions at scale to appeal to private sector based Small Business Research Initiative challenges Ian Liddell, Managing Director, Planning & Advisory, WSP investors, including green finance models to create opportunities for business innovation in growth sectors, including in the green economy • Work with HM Treasury and business leaders to identify current fiscal policy and legal impediments to

16 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 17 COUNCILS WILL KEY FACTS • Work with the local community and anchor Town Centres organisations to strengthen the identity of our town Wholesale and retail jobs centres and curate the town centre offer so that predominate in West London, each centre meets a wide range of community and accounting for a 14.9% share business needs in the long-term AIMS THE IMPACT of employment by sector • Explore new ways of making better use of vacant We want town centres to: Town centres across West London will be able to commercial spaces to nurture entrepreneurship The West London boroughs meet their full potential as anchors at the heart of • Be successful, sustainable, and resilient places - meanwhile and pop up uses - including the their local communities, as hubs for employment in already have several large that are at the heart of their communities development of a West London wide fund for the the new economy, as flexible spaces for businesses scale, transformative town acquisition and re-purposing of vacant properties • Be differentiated by a rediscovered local identity, to thrive, and as places where people increasingly centre projects underway heritage and character, whilst simultaneously want to live. • Continue to work with Capital West London and reinventing themselves for the modern post- London & Partners to attract inward investment into These include: Covid age town centres • Incorporate more workspace for businesses to • Extend new cycle provision across borough • A masterplan to transform start up and grow boundaries to ensure that town centres are well North Finchley and • Incorporate new housing covering all tenures connected to the communities they serve preparation of an SPD for Edgware that will unlock a • Have new recreation, leisure, culture, arts, • Support businesses to embrace technology and entertainment, health and community provision ensure the right digital infrastructure and training is 5,000 unit site (Barnet) to drive footfall throughout the day and evening in place to adapt to consumers increasingly ‘digital • The regeneration of Harrow first’ approach and high digital expectations • Be less dominated by traffic, with attractive open town centre, leveraging and green spaces to encourage people to dwell • Unlock investment from fibre broadband providers public land (Harrow) and socialise through borough wayleaves and enabling access to street furniture • The economic and social transformation of Harlesden, • Ensure Healthy Streets principles sit at the heart investing in infrastructure of all public realm works in town centres, exploring ways to incorporate car free elements and increasing through the West London infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists Orbital line (Brent) • Increase the provision of appropriate space for • The regeneration of Ealing businesses to start up and grow, and provide Broadway (Ealing) support for community and cultural organisations to establish in town centres, and grow visitor and • The creation of a new civic OPPORTUNITIES AND evening economies centre (Hounslow) • Continued flexibility in the application of INVESTMENTS regulations and licensing to support local • Explore new models of investment to unlock • The transformation of Hayes businesses in adapting, including flexibility to test transformative schemes, such as North Finchley town centre (Hillingdon). • Resource to enable the scale of physical uses for empty units in town and district centres, investment required to reconfigure and such as incubator units for micro-businesses, and STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT transform town centres, including flexibility in the ways to support retailers to move to click and use of Public Works Loan Board and the creation brick retailing • Higher and Further Education Partners will • Transport stakeholders will support the of other funding routes to unlock opportunities • Exploration of new Town Centre Enterprise Zones work with councils to explore ways in which provision of transport infrastructure and • Review the Business Rates system to reflect the with a range of relevant powers (e.g. London educational functions can co-locate in town ensure that the necessary connections are evolving economy, including the formula, appeals, Docklands Development Corporation) centres in place to support economic growth in and support applying discretionary reliefs • Assurance that Covid19 associated costs will be • Partners will work with councils to drive town centres • Simplification of CPO process to accelerate town covered by government meaningful investment in town centre centre investment economies

18 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 19 COUNCILS WILL KEY FACTS • Work with landowners, developers and construction Housing and Infrastructure industry to identify and tackle barriers to development Over a third of WLA’s LSOAs are ranked in top 10% most deprived • Get local plans and planning frameworks in place to give across England certainty and flexibility to support provision of housing AIMS THE IMPACT and infrastructure Relatively high housing costs • Work with the development sector to retain Against the background of huge uncertainty caused • Develop and implement ambitious plans to build homes will be a particular risk for confidence in West London as a place to bring and increase affordable housing stock by the pandemic, this programme of activity will residents who become financially forward schemes benefitting communities, help maintain confidence in West London as a • Work together with TfL to develop the West London Orbital distressed through either a fall in neighbourhoods and environmental quality – place to develop, invest and do business, supported business case, and develop master-planning to optimise the income or unemployment and to de-risk the process by responsive and efficient planning and other potential of places served by the WLO impact, particularly in regulatory services. This confidence will be vital • Deliver the new homes West Londoners need residential unit numbers and values in ensuring our ambitious development and Housing problems can lead to now and into the future - affordable to all, regeneration plans come to fruition. • Utilise compulsary purchase order (CPO) powers where sensible other difficulties with respect supported by strong infrastructure, and providing to, for example, health and the a high quality of life • WLA’s Commissioning Alliance will deliver an These infrastructure investments will help West inspection’s service for London (STS), to ensure that ability to find work, resulting in • Identify key infrastructure priorities through a London make the most of its potential – building on B&B and studio accommodation used as Temporary increasing inequalities for socially Strategic Infrastructure Delivery Plan for West its strengths and helping places and communities Accommodation for vulnerable households meets excluded groups and additional London to be completed in October 2020 and find left behind – whether by improving physical access required housing standards demand for council services new ways of funding and delivering them through the West London Orbital or by extending and speeding up digital access. The WLO will help • Roll out digital infrastructure to support business STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT Across West London’s 11 resilience and drive productivity improvements support delivery of over 10,000 new homes and opportunity areas identified workspace for 22,000 new jobs. • Identify opportunities to accelerate development Yoo Capital supports the West London Alliance. As in the new London Plan there of the West London Orbital (WLO) to boost real estate investors who specialise in delivering is at least capacity for 100,500 The availability, cost and quality of housing is delivery of new homes and jobs and promote unique mixed-use places like Olympia, we share new homes and workspace for already an important economic issue – it is difficult sustainable travel choices many common goals - creating more employment for many with jobs in West London to find homes 143,500 new jobs opportunities, affordable housing, spaces for the here. We are taking action on homelessness to help address this – and in particular to ensure creatives industries, education and life sciences, as In 2018/19 the seven West unemployment does not lead to people losing their well as healthy, public green spaces. We are making London boroughs delivered homes and having to move away. significant investments into West London today and 10,109 new homes, 22% more have a strong appetite for more. The right collaborative than were delivered by the seven spirit with the leadership of local government is the best boroughs in East London*. way to ensure we all see continued growth and success for this important area of London. *MHCLG live table 122 Lloyd Lee, Managing Director, YOO Capital

OPPORTUNITIES AND • Planning for delivery INVESTMENTS boroughs can deploy to sites in partnership • Infrastructure with developers to finance key regeneration a. Introduce new powers to enable local a. Work with us to find new ways of funding and • Supporting new supply sites and restore viability authorities to intervene on unbuilt planning delivering strategic infrastructure needed to permissions/stalled sites – to seek new a. 100% retention of RTB receipts d. Prioritise simplification of CPO powers to support growth – including specific funding to facilitate land acquisition and land assembly, developers /self-development b. Increase the level of grant funding to at least deliver the West London Orbital – including tax especially in Town Centre/ High Street locations b. Ensure planning departments are properly 50% of costs for new social housing increment and land value capture options resourced, including reform of planning fees c. A flexible pot of gap, loan and equity funding

20 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 21 About West London Alliance West London Economic Formed in 1997, the West London Alliance (WLA) is a public sector partnership Recovery Task Force between seven West London local authorities of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow. Our team delivers initiatives in the sub-region, working across borough boundaries and focussing on The West London Alliance will establish a Task Force of senior representatives from the priority areas of: Economy, skills, employment support, mobility and transport, public and private sector stakeholders from across the subregion. The groups’ focus housing, health and care, and digital. will be informing and delivering the Build and Recover Plan. The West London Alliance’s purpose of adding value to what WLA boroughs do individually, recognises The Task Force will help shape and deliver the Build and Recover Plan, combining and corralling effort and, that residents, the economy and the health and care system function across borough boundaries. Where where appropriate, allowing organisations across West London to make a consistent and joined up case and when coming together make sense, we focus on developing and delivering solutions in line with for Government assistance. borough priorities.

The group will be key to ensuring West London plays its part, with the rest of London, in making the case But tackling social, economic and environmental challenges goes beyond our borough’s boundaries. There for investment and support to drive UK recovery. are clearly London, UK and indeed global issues. We aim to complement and influence borough, London, UK and global action, to ensure West London builds on its position as one of the most connected and MEMBERSHIP successful places in the world. Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council & Chair of As WLA boroughs we work together and form partnerships to develop, drive and deliver improvements for West London Economic Prosperity Board everyone that lives, works, learns, visits and invests in West London. Niall Bolger, Chief Executive, London Borough of Hounslow An inclusive and successful West London is good for London, the whole country and if environmentally Richard Burge, Chief Executive, London Chamber of Commerce & member of the London Recovery Board sustainable, the planet too.

Professor Julia Buckingham, Vice Chancellor, Brunel University & member of the London Recovery Board

Andrew Dakers, Chief Executive, West London Business

Daren Mepham, Chief Executive, Barnet and Southgate College

Professor Tim Orchard, Chief Executive, Imperial College NHS Trust

Sarah Hernandez, Service Lead for West London, Jobcentre Plus About West London Economic

Becky Coffin, Director of Communities, Heathrow Prosperity Board

Richard Templer, Professor, Imperial College & member of the London Sustainable Development The West London Economic Prosperity Board is a public committee of 6 West London Commission Council leaders. It was formed in 2015 and is currently chaired by Cllr Stephen Cowan, Sam Gurney, Regional Secretary London, East and South East, TUC Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

The Task Force will be supported by the West London Economic Recovery Programme Director and the It is dedicated to collaboration that delivers the West London vision for growth, which Director of the West London Alliance. includes securing devolution of powers and funding for increased prosperity in the subregion. The committee has helped influence the London policy framework, which includes successful promotion of the West London Orbital rail scheme and stewardship of West London’s devolved business rates strategic investment pot programme.

22 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategy for West London 23 PUBLIC SECTOR

EDUCATION

BUSINESSES

24 Build and Recover An Economic Recovery Strategywww.wla.london for West London