London is a thriving global city with a strong, growing economy and increasing population.
The UK is the 5th highest ranking country in the world.
As one of the most diverse cities in the world, London houses close to 9 million residents, who collectively speak over 300 languages, including Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien and of course English.
In December 2022 – February 2023, the number of people aged 16+ in employment in the UK was 32.95 million – 4.8 million of which are in London!
The top 5 occupation groups of the people who work in London are:
- Professional, scientific and technical activities
- Managers, Directors and Senior Officials
- Administrative and Secretarial
- Human health and social work activities
- Skilled Trades Occupations
View our LMI overviews to find out more about key London employment sectors:
HS2
HS2 is Britain’s new high speed rail line being built from London to the North-West, with HS2 trains linking the biggest cities in Scotland with Manchester, Birmingham and London. It is the largest infrastructure project in Europe and the most important economic and social regeneration project in decades.
HS2 trains will integrate with new lines and upgrades across Britain’s rail system to deliver faster travel to major towns and cities across Britain including Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds, Nottingham and Derby.
Major civil engineering works are now underway with £23 billion contracted into the supply chain and over 350 active sites between the West Midlands and London, supporting jobs and delivering benefits before a single train has started running.
170 miles of new high-speed line is already under construction between Crewe and London. In total, the Government is planning over 260 miles of new high speed line across the country, including:
- London to the West Midlands (HS2 Phase One)
- West Midlands to Crewe (HS2 Phase 2a)
- Crewe to Manchester (HS2 Phase 2b)
- Linking West and East Midlands with services to Sheffield and Leeds (HS2 East)
- Northern Powerhouse Rail (with a high-speed link between Warrington and Yorkshire that relies on HS2 Phase 2b infrastructure).
HS2 will begin running between 2029 and 2033 when the section between London and the West Midlands is complete, and services will expand as new sections of the network are built.
You can learn more about working for the HS2 project at https://www.hs2.org.uk/careers.
The Superloop
The Superloop is a proposed network of limited-stop express bus routes. It would circle the entire capital and connect key town centres, stations and transport hubs in outer London.
Where would the Superloop go?
The Superloop would connect outer London boroughs, quicker. The exact route and stops will be developed and refined by Transport for London (TfL) in consultation with boroughs and the public. The initial proposal from TfL is that the Superloop would serve the broad locations identified in the video and map. It would not only improve some bus routes already in operation, but also add new ones.
Why is TfL developing the Superloop?
Buses are the most affordable, accessible and available forms of public transport in London. They are the main sustainable alternative to cars for journeys that can't easily be walked or cycled.
In November 2022, the Mayor announced that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be expanded London-wide in August 2023. At the same time he also announced that more than a million kilometres will be added to outer London’s bus network. Work is already underway delivering these first one million kilometres.
The Superloop is a further plan from the Mayor to enhance outer London’s bus network. The Superloop, funded by the Mayor, City Hall and TfL, would make it easier for Londoners to visit family and friends, get to school or go shopping, or travel for leisure in other parts of outer London. It could add over 4 million kilometres to outer London’s bus network.
Together, these initiatives would provide additional alternatives to private cars, and protect London's air. Transport for London is also planning other improvements to its already extensive and attractive bus network in outer London.
How do I find out more?
Visit TfL’s dedicated Superloop page to learn more and sign up for updates on public consultations.
To find out about jobs in your area of London, check out our area breakdowns:
Sources:
Last update:
June 2023