Research and strategy

The Mayor sets the strategic direction for skills and employment in London and is responsible for the £320m per year Adult Education Budget (AEB), which funds the majority of 19+ education and training in the capital.

In October 2025 we published the Inclusive Talent Strategy (ITS), which is a key action of the London Growth Plan. The ITS sets out how London will grow its skilled workforce, get more Londoners into high-quality jobs and make it easier for employers to get the talent they need. This will be done by developing an increasingly employer-led and integrated skills and employment system.

The ITS was developed by London’s government (the Mayor and the boroughs). Our ambitions cannot be achieved by London government alone; they require a collaborative approach with partners across the capital, so we are keen to hear from you. See more about the ITS and find out how to get involved.

The Mayor’s vision for skills and employment has evaluation and evidence at its heart. On the pages below you can find out more about the Mayor’s priorities and look at the research, analysis and engagement that is helping inform the Mayor’s work.