According to London Councils, which represents the 32 boroughs and the City of London, local government must have a central role to play in building London’s workforce and ensuring it continues to thrive. Cllr Peter John makes the case for local government’s role in helping the capital work harder, smarter and better

What makes London the most powerful economic region in the UK? I believe that the answer is its workforce, the people who drive growth and innovation in the capital. From investment bank chief executive officers with offices in Canary Wharf to food van entrepreneurs selling their wares at Kings Cross, they all contribute.

London is a major driver of economic growth, accounting for 22% of gross value added, with 20% of UK business based here. In the financial year 2013/14 it generated £127bn of taxation for the Treasury, which is more than 20% of the UK total.