Central London Forward

'London's streets aren't paved with gold. Cuts would hit the poorest the hardest' - LabourList Any changes that result in a further reduction in funding for deprived boroughs risks deepening inequality.

London has highest poverty rate in the country when including housing costs, with 27% of Londoners living in poverty.

Boroughs are at the forefront of tackling this but need funding to continue.

The Government must look again at the Fair Funding Review.

labourlist.org/2025/10/lond...

'London's streets aren't paved with gold. Cuts would hit the poorest the hardest' - LabourList Any changes that result in a further reduction in funding for deprived boroughs risks deepening inequality.

London boroughs drive growth, tackle poverty and provide vital services.

However, their ability to do that is under threat from the Fair Funding Review, which could cut council spending by £700m.

Read CLF Chair @adamhug.bsky.social on the impact this would have here ⬇️

Thank you to all our speakers and attendees for a timely and powerful discussion.
@adamhug.bsky.social @dawnbutlerbrent.bsky.social @joedromey.bsky.social @helenbarnard.bsky.social

At Labour Conference, CLF co-hosted a panel with @fabiansociety.bsky.social on London’s inequality.

Despite being the UK’s economic engine, London has the highest poverty levels. We need fair funding, better jobs, and more devolution.

📢Vacancy Alert
Central London Forward is recruiting a new Director.

We’re a partnership of 12 central London boroughs, working for inclusive & sustainable growth across the capital.

This is a fantastic chance to lead a great team & make real impact.

👉Apply&share: www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...

At LREF yesterday, CLF hosted a panel discussion with @brendadacres.bsky.social, @helendennis.bsky.social & others on the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension.

The panel discussed current progress, funding options and the project’s role in enabling new housing, jobs and growth in Central London.

Great to see so many at our MeetTheDelegation session at #LREF2025 this morning.

@adamhug.bsky.social, Chair of CLF, opened with reflections on how partnership can help shape a fairer, more inclusive Central London.

At CLF, partnership drives everything we do from jobs to policy to infrastructure.

We’re at #LREF2025 today at Guildhall, exploring how real partnership can shape London’s future.

📍Meet the Central London Forward delegation at 12:00 in the Networking Zone
📍Join our Bakerloo Line panel at 14:00 on the Place Stage

Let’s talk about what’s next for London!

While London is the economic heart of the UK, it also has the highest levels of poverty. Ahead of the local elections next year, this event will explore how we can tackle the inequality that scars the capital, and build a better city for all.

A Tale of Two Cities: Tackling Inequality in London

Tuesday 30 | 16.30 | Bluecoat | @clfnews.bsky.social

A statement by the leaders of 12 London local authorities regarding the Fair Funding Review 2.0 proposals

What the Spending Review tells us about the future of housing in Central London - Central London Forward The Government’s £39bn pledge for affordable housing is the biggest in a generation—but is it enough for Central London? Our latest blog looks at what the Spending Review means for housing in the capi...

The Government’s £39bn investment was billed as the biggest boost to affordable and social housing in a generation.

But in Central London, where demand is highest, will it enough?

Our latest blog looks into it.

Check it out here: centrallondonforward.gov.uk/news/what-th...

You can read more about Central London Forward's work here:

centrallondonforward.gov.uk/wp-content/u...

Over the next year, we will be getting started with the new, five-year Connect to Work programme, supporting 17,000 Central London residents to find work and Full Potential, helping care-experienced young people prepare for employment

Policy & Research - Central London Forward Home What We Do Policy & Research Shaping Policy and Research to Influence Government Decisions We co-ordinate and commission policy and research on behalf of, and alongside, our boroughs, seeking to ...

Central London Forward also co-ordinates policy priorities on behalf of our boroughs, focusing on Housing, planning and infrastructure, employment and skills, net zero and sustainable local government.

That includes supporting 720 Central London residents into employment through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme, vastly exceeding targets

Over the past year, we have helped almost 2,000 people into work, delivering employment programmes that help people access the opportunities they need

It’s been an extremely busy year at CLF!

From helping thousands of Londoners into new jobs and offering support to people with disabilities and refugees to help them access the services they need, to leading the campaign for the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension

London is becoming a better connected city.

CLF’s digital connectivity programme is working with London boroughs to ensure people have better connectivity at work, home and around the city.

There is great work happening across the capital, but there is much more to do

"A skilled workforce is also vital for economic growth, so we warmly welcome the Chancellor's commitment to funding for skills and employment support, and we look forward to working with the Government on this in the years ahead."

"However, investment in the capital's infrastructure is foundational to economic growth for the whole country and critical to support house building and growth across London, so we await the Government's upcoming Infrastructure Strategy for more detail.

"Increased capital funding for TfL should bring much-needed upgrades to the Bakerloo Line to modernise the service, including through the provision of new rolling stock.

In response to today’s Spending Review, @adamhug.bsky.social, Chair of Central London Forward, has said:

"Today's Spending Review provides a steep and vital increase in funding for affordable and social homes, which will go some way to tackling the capital's housing crisis.

A pleasure to be at #UKREiiF for Southwark making the case for the Bakerloo Line Upgrade & Extension. It’s exciting, urgent & shovel-ready. Momentum is building!

Proud to speak on the panel making the case to extend the Bakerloo Line: more homes, jobs, greener travel and better connections for South-East London. It’s not just good for London, it’s good for the UK’s economic growth.
Let’s get it done.

#BackTheBakerloo

Fantastic event at #UKREiif as CLF Director @shadibrazell.bsky.social is joined by @brendadacres.bsky.social, @helendennis.bsky.social and Richard Palmer to discuss progress on the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension, London’s most urgent infrastructure project

#BackTheBakerloo

...Central London boroughs already support care-experienced young people throughout their lives. This programme will allow us to improve how the system works and better support care experienced young people to realise their potential and build fulfilling, stable adult lives."

CLF Chair @AdamHug has welcomed the new programme, saying:

“It is unacceptable that young people with experience of care are more likely to be out of education and employment and more likely to suffer from poor mental health than the rest of the population...

Care-experienced young people are 3x more likely to be out of work or education.

CLF's new Trailblazer programme aims to change that by funding new, innovative approaches, working with councils and local businesses, to help care leavers into work and training

Last year, 1 in 32 homes in London were listed for short-term let. This can lead to fewer homes being available for local people to rent and buy.

Today, CLF launched our recommendations for regulating this sector so it works for all Londoners.

centrallondonforward.gov.uk/wp-content/u...