This week (1-7 February) is Race Equality Week, a UK-wide initiative, uniting hundreds of organisations and individuals in activity to address the barriers facing race equality in the workplace.

In July 2020 London Councils initiated a  pan-London work programme, led by Hammersmith & Fulham chief executive Kim Smith, to support councils in tackling racial inequality. And in October, the capital's council leaders agreed a joint statement of intent. You can read more the work programme and the joint statement here.

London Councils recently launched a newsletter to keep stakeholders up-to-date with the ongoing work to address inequalities. If you would like to be added to the mailing list please email Tom Pickup

Public Health England (PHE) has identified that there may be spread of a new variant of Covid-19, first identified in South Africa, in a small number of localities across England

Working in partnership with local authorities, PHE are targeting additional testing in specific postcode areas where the variant has been found. In London these postcodes are W7, N17 and CR4.

Additional testing resources will include Mobile Testing Units being sent to those areas and additional home testing kits being distributed directly to homes via door-to-door drops. People with symptoms should continue to book a test in the normal way.

For the latest information, please visit the PHE Coronavirus Resource Centre

Half of London's business leaders see cashflow as the main threat to business recovery from Covid-19 and

84 per cent are less confident about London’s economy than they were a year ago. Those are among the headline findings of the latest Business 1000 survey.

The fourth annual survey, undertaken by YouGov on behalf of London Councils and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) polled 1,250 business leaders across the capital on topics including: business confidence; skills, apprenticeships and recruitment; remote working; and climate change. The poll provides a unique insight into London’s business leaders’ views as we plan for the economic recovery for the capital

You can download a summary of the poll findings here.

The 2021 edition of Opportunity London has been published this week.

The report provides an overview on the key development strategies and areas of opportunity across all 32 London boroughs and the City of London, alongside industry viewpoints on the issues most pertinent to local authorities in delivering growth and renewal.

You can read or download a copy here.

Wandsworth and Richmond chief executive Paul Martin has announced he will be stepping down from his role in March, to take up a new post as chief executive of the Government of Jersey.

Wandsworth Leader Cllr Ravi Govindia, said: “Paul has led an exceptional group of officers to support our community and enhance Wandsworth’s reputation as an exemplar in the way it has risen to these challenges and he leaves a remarkable record of sound achievement. I would like to thank Paul for his eleven years of service here and wish him every success for the future.”

Richmond Leader Cllr Gareth Roberts, said: “Paul has been a steady hand on the tiller as we navigated our way through the Shared Staffing arrangement with Wandsworth and the perils of the pandemic. His professionalism and dedication to effective governance has ensured Richmond Council is on a strong footing as we move forward [...] I would like to thank Paul for everything he has done to lead our tremendous group of staff."