Challenges Affecting City of London
Challenges Affecting London
Housing availability |
London’s housing stock has not kept up with population growth plus prices and rents have increased rapidly Rents are double the UK average making housing some of the least affordable in the world Many lower income workers cannot afford to buy or rent, so they either have to commute into London or share a house with others |
Transport problems |
London has a good transport system, but is under pressure due to the rising population Roads are frequently congested and slow (the average speed during the day is 8mph), which impacts lost office hours or makes worker hours longer Approx. 1 million commuters arrive daily on overcrowded trains and delays on the 'tube' have doubled |
Access to services |
London has some of the best health care and education services in the UK, although some people struggle to access these services or have access to private health care and bypass the system Hospitals are often overcrowded and waiting times for doctors and consultant appointments have increased, congested roads delay ambulances Wealthy people access fee paying schools and some of the best state schools in the country, leaving children from poorer families in underperforming schools, therefore, widening the gap between children’s attainment |
Inequality |
There is a wage disparity with the average wage in Kensington and Chelsea being £130,000, compared to Newham where it is less than £30,000 a year London's economy consists of 96% service industry positions, often low-paid with zero hours contracts. Many migrants are exploited and are paid below minimum wage and have to work several jobs to meet basic needs Unemployment increases in areas which are more deprived. Often people do not have the skills or education to have employment and if they do it is poorly paid. Many people in Tower Hamlets (a poor area) cannot get jobs in Canary Warf despite the close distance This inequality impacts life expectancy which varies across Greater London by 5 years |