Successful Economies Mean Successful Communities. The Experience of 25 Years of Local Economic Development in the London Borough of Wandsworth

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size

Notes

¹Wandsworth's population in 2008 was about 288,000. The politics are interesting. Despite solid Conservative control of the Council, there were no Conservative MPs in the borough between 1997 and 2005, suggesting that local policies, not least relating to the low level of council tax, have had a major impact at the local level.

²There are, of course, a large number of firms which are not VAT registered.

³The following gives a general picture: business support and information, loans and grants, attracting inward investment, revitalising older areas, inspiring a talented workforce, fostering vibrant town centres and street markets, helping local firms secure contracts, lobbying for improved transport links, acting as a voice for business, adding value through partnership, creating networking opportunities, boosting green businesses, running a job shop in Battersea, tackling deprivation and child poverty, promoting entrepreneurship and self employment, supporting the work of Job Centre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council, and regenerating deprived areas.