What impact has increased levels of working from home post-pandemic had on the economy in central London?
The COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of Londoners to work from home, with many businesses required to adapt to the various lockdowns.
While it covers just 2.2 per cent of London’s land area, the Central Activities Zone is responsible for nearly half of the capital’s economic output and more than one-tenth of the UK’s output [1].
The recovery from the pandemic has been slower in London’s Central Activities Zone – made up of the City of London, Westminster, and eight local authorities – than in the rest of the capital.
In July 2022, footfall in areas within the Central Activities Zone was, on average, 45 per cent lower than July 2019, and spending has recovered more slowly than in the rest of London [2].
The London Assembly Economy Committee will meet tomorrow to investigate to what extent workers have returned to the office and what impact working from home has had on London’s economy, particularly in the Central Activities Zone and Canary Wharf.
The guests are:
- Ben Johnson, Mayoral Head of Business and Economic Policy, Greater London Authority
- Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Leader of Islington Council and Deputy Chair of Central London Forward
- Kate Hart, Chief Executive Officer, EC BID
- Jonathan Seager, Policy Delivery Director, Research, and Impact, BusinessLDN
- Rosie Day, Director, London Property Alliance
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 13 December from 2pm in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Centre for London, Remixing Central London, March 2022, page 7
- GLA, Supporting the Central Activities Zone (CAZ)
- Full agenda papers.
- Marina Ahmad AM, Chair of the Economy Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Economy Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.