Mayor's economic development strategy offers boost for South London

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone pledged action for jobs and prosperity across South London as he launched the Economic Development Strategy for the capital this week.

Mr Livingstone said: "We will work with business and we will invest to make sure that London is a vibrant, competitive global city. But we must also make sure that London people get their fair share of the new jobs."

The strategy is being implemented by the London Development Agency (LDA), the Mayor's economic development and regeneration agency, which is running the largest ever regeneration programme across London.

Said LDA Chief Executive Michael Ward: "Our challenge is to help London World City prosper and flourish, but also to support the wider economy of the rest of the city as well." The LDA is already supporting economic development and regeneration across South London.

As well as £65 million regeneration cash pumped into Peckham and £25 million at the Elephant and Castle, funding housing renewal, jobs, training and community development, projects include: - £20 million towards transport improvement at Vauxhall; - Training and business help for residents in North West Croydon; - Transport improvements at Lewisham town centre; - Skills and new business support in London Bridge; - Local job creation at Waterloo and the South Bank arts complex; - Renovation and development of Borough Market; - Investment in the Laban dance centre at Deptford; - Help for unemployed young people in Tooting and Lambeth Key points in the new strategy include: - Work with local agencies to keep businesses in the area as well as attracting new firms; - Working with the local Learning and Skills Council and Small Business Service on skills and employment action plans for local people and help for new firms; - Supply chain support to help local firms win contracts; - Jobs action plans for town centres, such as Croydon, and employment "corridors" such as the Wandle Valley.

Notes to Editors: London's Economic Development Strategy will be launched today (Tuesday July 17) at 1.10 by Minister for London, Nick Raynsford and London's Mayor Ken Livingstone at Bernie Spain Gardens (next to Oxo Tower Wharf) London SE1. The LDA is London's business led economic development agency, working to the Mayor to deliver the economic aspects of a programme for renewal. The new document, London's Economic Development Strategy adds up to a blueprint for building London's economy and is guided by four key priorities: - economic growth - knowledge and learning - diversity, inclusion, renewal - sustainable development.