London Councils and the Mayor of London have called on government to devolve more powers and funding for skills and employment to the capital. The document sent to ministers this week outlines how, by taking charge of more elements of the skills and education system, London Boroughs and City Hall could deliver programmes in a more streamlined, impactful way.

“London is a city built on the boundless creativity, talent, and ambition of the people who live, work, and study here”, said Cllr Georgia Gould, London Councils deputy leader and executive member for skills. “But all too often, Londoners are being held back from unlocking the opportunities generated on their doorsteps by a lack of skills and available training.

“Our experience serves to show that bespoke support is best provided by those who know the people who use it. We are calling on the government to acknowledge this reality by agreeing a significant devolution package for the capital that will enable us to work with the Mayor, employers and training providers to deliver the world-class skills and employment architecture that our city expects and deserves.”

London Councils hosted a fringe event at the Liberal Democrats Party Conference on Monday 16 September. The question, “Tackling London’s housing crisis – how do local authorities rise to the challenge?” was discussed by a panel of experts, including London Councils' vice chair Cllr Ruth Dombey; Caroline Pidgeon AM; Sutton deputy leader Cllr Jayne McCoy; Paul Noblet, head of media and public affairs, Centrepoint; and Cllr Rabina Khan,Tower Hamlets.

A packed room debated the roles that local councils, housing associations, the Mayor, and local government bodies can play in alleviating homelessness and providing housing. 

London Councils has launched a short film about the London HIV Prevention Programme which highlights it as a public health success story. Working together through the LHPP, boroughs have made a crucial contribution to London’s success in reducing HIV.

The film follows the recent news that HIV rates are down 42 per cent in the capital and that London remains not only a national but international leader in HIV prevention.