South London sub-region – some key features

• Growing population.
• Highest overall quality of life of all the London sub-regions.
• Ranks second in England on skills attainment.
• Strongest network of town centres in London.
• Small and medium sized enterprises are strongly represented.
• Low level of unemployment relative to other sub-regions.
• Highest level of economic activity in London amongst residents (although jobs falling recently).
• Structural change in employment and increase in retail and public sector.
• High level of workforce mobility.
• Three international sports centres.
• 51% of the resident workforce in knowledge-based industries (although many work outside the sub-region).
• Home to many of London’s key ‘movers and shakers’ (business leaders and other dignitaries).
• Declining inner suburbs and isolated post-war estates.
• Very dependent on road network, national rail, buses and (London’s only) tram network (only 10% of London’s Underground reaches south London).

South London’s key strategic areas are the Wandle Valley running through the centre of the sub-region, the River Thames to the north and west, Crystal Palace, the metropolitan centres of Bromley, Croydon, Kingston and Sutton and town and district centres.