The London and South Productivity Challenge: - Briefing Paper November 2023

Section 2 support the discussion and London, the South summarises initiatives that are planning of the Regional East and the South being taken across the three Productivity Forum (RPF) regions that might contribute rather than to provide an in- West with a particular to future productivity depth examination of the data. [...] Improved more than 15% of residents for the three regions chime coordination of economic in the East of London still with the concerns of Members development is required lack access to gigabit- of RPF for London and the to prevents a polarisation capable broadband, and South regarding intra-regional of living standards across unemployment rates remain productivity disparities London’s boroughs. [...] New investments include the opening of City Hall in Newham and the launch of the Elizabeth Line, which improves connectivity across the East, particularly in support of the growing data, digital, film, and media sectors. [...] The London and South Regional Productivity Forum shows a high The South East scores well overall in long- levels of imbalance with London and the term health and economic activity. [...] Simultaneously, both in terms of digital connectivity across investment in new skills to support the Net the region as well as physical infrastructure Zero transition has been slow due to the to connect the rural parts to the more uncertainty and complexity of the pace and productive cities.