Supporting London through the cost-of-living crisis

A quarter of Londoners are living in poverty after housing costs are taken into account, while people living in the capital also face the highest childcare costs in the country. The impact of rising costs affects people across the country, but it is particularly acute in London.

Many Londoners are experiencing real hardship. The capital has amongst the highest unemployment and poverty rates in the country, with those in Black and minority ethnic groups, women and the disabled disproportionately affected. And being in work is often little protection, with three in four adults living in poverty in London in work.

London’s businesses too, battling to return to stability post-pandemic, are struggling to find the skills they need to run their operations efficiently and help the UK return to growth.

To support London’s workforce and business community, we will continue to campaign on long-term issues to help make London the best place in the world to do business, from tackling skills gaps and boosting labour market inclusion to setting out ways to deliver more affordable homes and workspaces in the city.

In the shorter term, we are working to make a difference on those things that will help London’s workers and businesses navigate the cost-of-living crisis, today.

To help London’s businesses, we are calling for:

Action on business rates to help smaller firms in hard-pressed sectors

A comprehensive review of affordable childcare options

Reform of the Apprenticeship Levy to make it more flexible and boost take-up

For our part, BusinessLDN is joining Citizens UK, the Living Wage Foundation, the Mayor of London and Trust for London, to make the business case for paying the London Living Wage to make London a Living Wage City.

Tesco shop has discounted price. Discounted food to avoid food waste

Learn more about what London’s businesses are doing to support employees during the cost-of-living crisis.

Electricity energy support scheme voucher letter notice in England

Learn more about the London Living Wage and why it makes business sense.