Redbridge is set to benefit from a new strategy aimed at boosting local businesses and creating more job opportunities for residents. The Redbridge Economic Growth and Investment Strategy, presented to the Regeneration and Economic Development Committee, outlines a multi-faceted approach to foster a more dynamic and inclusive local economy.
The strategy focuses on four key pillars: People, Business, Place, and Investment.
Under the 'People' pillar, the council will support residents in accessing skills, employment, and opportunities, with a particular focus on priority sectors such as construction, health and social care, and digital industries. Key initiatives include expanding sector-specific training, increasing digital and AI skills training, improving careers advice, and supporting progression from entry-level roles into higher-skilled jobs. The strategy also aims to better connect skills, health, and employment support, and improve access for young people, unemployed residents, and those facing barriers to work. For health and social care, a campaign will promote the sector and demystify expectations, highlighting progression opportunities within the health service. The strategy also aims to address the gender pay gap and support underrepresented groups in accessing jobs.
Redbridge faces challenges, including a high rate of economic inactivity (22.1%), which is over 2% higher than the London average, and an employment rate of 68.5%, below the 'Get Britain Working' target of 80%. While specific primary reasons are not explicitly detailed, contributing factors include a significant number of residents choosing not to engage in the labour market, a large influx of young and diverse residents needing support, and persistent challenges around youth unemployment and access to higher-skilled careers. Being a student is also a comparatively frequent reason for economic inactivity. Furthermore, the gender pay gap is noted, with a majority of economically inactive individuals being women, particularly from certain ethnic groups, many of whom work flexible or part-time hours due to caring responsibilities.
The 'Business' pillar aims to create an environment where businesses can start, grow, and innovate. This includes support for digital adoption, with a business and enterprise hub available at Queen Victoria House in Barkingside. This 18-unit workspace offers monthly activities, workshops, and sessions designed to help businesses navigate challenges such as 'Making Tax Digital' for those without accountants. The strategy acknowledges that many businesses struggle with the digital nature of the business world, with a significant number lacking websites or social media presence, and aims to provide support in these areas.
The 'Place' pillar will concentrate on developing vibrant town centres and neighbourhoods, encouraging local spending and unique identities for each area. Ilford Town Centre, despite facing a significant vacancy rate, is identified as a key area for regeneration. Ilford Town Centre is the largest in Redbridge and has the highest proportion of vacant floor space. While the vacancy rate has decreased, there is concern about short-term lets leading to churn rather than sustainable business opportunities. Specific plans include increasing the number of independent shops and ensuring a mix of typologies in town centres to encourage local spending and vibrancy. The strategy also mentions an 'Ilford Opportunity Area Planning Framework' and the 'Ilford Arrival connectivity project' as related initiatives.
The 'Investment' pillar seeks to attract sustainable investment that supports economic growth and creates good jobs. A key part of this is ensuring that Section 106 agreements, particularly for housing developments, include clear employment and skills obligations. The council intends to hold developers accountable to ensure they are providing the job roles desired in the borough.
The strategy aims to support businesses to grow and pay the London Living Wage, despite challenging economic conditions. This includes engaging with employers about linking into the 'good work standard' and offering secure, sustainable contracts. Strategies to encourage growth and the payment of the London Living Wage include exploring incentives and opportunities like a 'Jobs Guarantee' to help businesses take on staff and improve their own productivity. The council plans to work with its micro-business base to help them aspire to paying the London Living Wage, recognizing that this benchmark could help reduce the pay gap.
The Redbridge Economic Dashboard is being developed to provide a clear evidence base for interventions and to track progress. This dashboard will monitor business performance, employment, and town centre vitality, providing a baseline for measuring the strategy's impact. The strategy's ambition for 2032 includes metrics such as more residents in good quality employment, clear skills and career pathways, businesses starting and growing, thriving town centres, more people working locally in higher-value jobs, investment creating community benefits, and inclusive economic growth that reduces inequalities. GLA economics data will be used for baselining, and a consultant team will develop a framework for performance measures. The Employment and Skills Board will ensure accountability. Specific metrics will track the impact of investment, the number of people supported, and activity levels in employment and skills. Sensible metrics will be used for economic inactivity, acknowledging that some inactivity may be due to resident choice.
The committee reviewed the Regeneration and Economic Development Work Plan for 2026-27, which includes further discussions on town centre regeneration and the economic growth strategy. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for 3 December 2026.
See the Public reports pack for the Regeneration and Economic Development Committee meeting on 15 October 2026: Public reports pack 15th-Oct-2026 19.00 Regeneration and Economic Development Committee.
See the Unconfirmed Minutes for the Regeneraton and Economic Development Committee meeting on 09 July 2026: Uncofirmed Minutes Regeneraton and Economic Development Committee 090726.
See the Agenda frontsheet for the Regeneration and Economic Development Committee meeting on 15 October 2026: Agenda frontsheet 15th-Oct-2026 19.00 Regeneration and Economic Development Committee.