Supported 100,000 local people through our Cost of Living Fund
On our local economy, we overdelivered on our pledge by creating 5,500 new jobs since 2018, contributing towards Southwark Labour’s total of 12,000 since 2010. We also created 4,000 apprenticeships, the most in London, and supported local businesses by distributing £253m-worth of grants post-Covid.
On our environment, we have halved the council’s emissions since 2018. We delivered on our pledge to plant 10,000 trees by 2022, achieved green flag status for 22 additional parks and agreed a climate action plan independently ranked in the top 2 in London.
On housing, we have built or started on site on 2,500 council homes since 2014 and remain on track to reach our long term goal of 11,000 council homes by 2043. We also agreed a new Southwark Plan which will deliver 40,000 homes of all tenures by 2036
On community safety, we have agreed new investment of £2m to fund new wardens. We have tackled hate crime by taking a victims led approach and worked with over 25 organisations to tackle violence against women and girls and serious youth violence.
We have improved our schools to ensure that children and young people have the best start in life, with 95% of our schools good or outstanding. We have guaranteed an education, training or employment opportunity for every young person leaving our care and have set up universal mental health services for young people.
We have created thriving communities by opening 5 new libraries in the borough since 2010 and supported over 5,500 cultural events since 2018. We have invested in facilities that matter to residents including £2.6m for an athletics centre, and been able to achieve this despite keeping the 8th lowest council tax rate in London.
