Barking and Dagenham in East London has a diverse, multicultural population, with the highest rate of under 15-year-olds in England and Wales. The borough has significant economic potential given its major regeneration and development opportunities and proximity to London.
However, the borough is also characterised by a post-industrial economy, with a high number of low paid, low skilled jobs and some of the highest rates of unemployment, inactivity and low pay in London.
The local authority is committed to tackling these challenges through their Inclusive Growth Strategy 2022-2026. Sector strategies play a key role in supporting residents to access good jobs in growth sectors, alongside targeted programmes to engage and support disadvantaged groups to contribute to and benefit from new economic opportunities.
Here are some of the ways that Barking and Dagenham is delivering inclusive growth in practice:
Made in Dagenham: Eastbrook film studios
Supported by an endowment from studio operators MBS / Hackman Capital Partners, the Council is delivering a major programme to help local people and businesses access new opportunities linked to the development of London’s largest new film studio, set to open in 2024.
Wholesale food market relocation
The relocation of London’s historic wholesale food market will deliver tangible benefits to local people through a community-led Good Food Partnership and Action Plan, providing jobs, apprenticeships, a new borough Food School and a healthier, more sustainable and affordable local food system.
Improving the quality of jobs and standards in social care
Work to tackle the zero-hours culture in the care sector, developed in collaboration with Timewise, form one part of a local action plan that seeks to improve pay, job security and progression opportunities in care, and in doing so improve recruitment and retention of staff, quality and continuity of care, and health outcomes for service users.