Redbridge Council is launching a new strategy to address skills gaps and boost economic growth across the borough. The Redbridge Economic Growth and Investment Strategy, developed in conjunction with the Local London Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), aims to support residents into better jobs and encourage businesses to thrive.
The strategy identifies key challenges including a high rate of economic inactivity (22.1%), an employment rate below the national target, and a business base dominated by micro-enterprises. It also highlights that many residents commute outside the borough for higher-paid employment.
Forogh Rahmani, Director of Local London, outlined the LSIP's commitment to strengthening engagement between employers, education institutions, and local authorities. The plan focuses on five key sectors: construction, health and social care, creative industries, manufacturing, and transport and logistics. It aims to expand sector-specific training, increase digital and AI skills, improve careers advice, and support progression from entry-level roles.
Emerging themes for Redbridge's own strategy will be built around four pillars: People, Business, Place, and Investment. The 'People' pillar will focus on supporting residents to access skills and employment opportunities, with construction, health and social care, and digital sectors identified as priorities for Redbridge. The digital sector is considered a priority due to the significant digital opportunities within the borough and the need to consider how areas like AI can provide positive opportunities.
The strategy aims to address the high rate of economic inactivity by supporting residents to access skills, employment, and opportunities. Specific steps include a focus on the 'People' pillar. Preparatory work is being done, such as offering English language skills training in children's centres for women with young children, to equip individuals for future employment. The strategy also emphasizes working with the Job Centre to support residents who may be financially resilient but could benefit from skills and confidence building.
The 'Business' pillar aims to create conditions for businesses to start, grow, and innovate. This includes providing access to support through the business and enterprise hub, which offers workshops and sessions on topics like making tax digital. The strategy also focuses on helping businesses to afford to pay the London Living Wage and offer secure, sustainable contracts. There is an aspiration to talk to employers about linking into the good work standard. The strategy also acknowledges the challenge of businesses not necessarily leading to economic growth, and aims to sustain businesses for one to three years to encourage growth, recruitment, and payment of business rates.
The 'Place' pillar will focus on developing vibrant town centres and neighbourhoods, encouraging local spending and distinct identities for each area. Finally, the 'Investment' pillar seeks to secure investment that supports sustainable economic growth and creates good jobs. Under this pillar, development agreements will include 'clear employment and skills obligations'. The strategy aims to ensure that any investment secured provides good jobs, and that Section 106 agreements, when building and developing houses, have these clear obligations. Developers will be tasked to ensure they are providing the job roles that are wanted in the borough.
During the discussion, councillors raised questions about supporting older residents with limited digital confidence, the impact of AI on jobs, and the specific skills gaps within Redbridge. Ms. Rahmani confirmed that adult skills funding is available and that further education colleges offer support. She also acknowledged the need to address AI's impact, noting that while some jobs may be affected, new opportunities are also being created.
Redbridge Council will utilize data from the GLA economics activity for baselining, particularly for growth sectors. They will also work with a consultant team to develop a framework and use the Employment and Skills Board to ensure accountability on performance measures. Specific metrics will focus on the impact of investment, such as the reception of investment prospectuses, servicing inquiries, and the resulting new businesses and housing development. For employment, skills, and business, outcome measures will target the number of people supported and observed activity. For economic inactivity, sensible metrics will be used, acknowledging that some factors are resident choices. The strategy will also incorporate a robust performance framework to ensure delivery against set actions.
The Redbridge Economic Growth and Investment Strategy is a piece of work that is being developed over the next three to six months. The strategy itself is intended to provide a long-term framework, building on the previous Employment Skills and Enterprise Strategy which ends in 2027. The ambition is set for 2032.
Public reports pack 15th-Oct-2026 19.00 Regeneration and Economic Development Committee.pdf Uncofirmed Minutes Regeneraton and Economic Development Committee 090726.pdf Agenda frontsheet 15th-Oct-2026 19.00 Regeneration and Economic Development Committee.pdf