It sets out the action the Government is taking to ensure London builds on its success and rises to the challenge of becoming an exemplary world city in time for the Olympics in 2012. This can also be accessed on our website at www.gos.gov.uk/gol.
The report shows that London has made great strides since 1997, with transformed public services, high and stable growth, better transport and more jobs. But the city now faces new challenges, including a shortage of affordable housing for first time buyers, and pockets of deprivation amid the prosperity. Building on Success outlines a comprehensive package of measures which the Government will take to support the city as it tackles these challenges.
Key new measures include:
· Two new partnerships aimed at tackling worklessness in East and West London;
· A new £35m skills package to get more Londoners into work, and to equip them with the skills that employers want;
· Action to address the shortage of affordable housing, and create more mixed communities in London;
· The extension of the successful London Challenge for schools to London's primary schools, developing at least 60 new Academies by 2012, at least 15 new sixth form or sixth form centres by 2008;
· A new pan-London initiative to deliver better more responsive services, that improve outcomes for London's most vulnerable children;
· More measures to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in London, including extending the Tackling Violent Crime programme;
· And A new partnership to help London's creative festivals better compete on a world stage.
Speaking at the launch Tony Blair said "As today's report shows, London is now the wealthiest major city in Europe, productivity is a quarter higher than the rest of the UK and nearly a quarter of the workforce is educated to degree level...it is very, very clear that London is on the rise. London is not just a great city, it is the best city in the world."
