LDA: The Equality and Diversity Agenda

Arun BatraDirector – Equality and Diversity

6th September 2006

The Role of the LDA

• The Mayor’s agency for business and jobs

• 1 of 9 Regional Development Agencies

• LDA investment budget for 2005-06 = £405m/PS

• How we work

· EDS – Mayor’s strategy to develop London

- Places and infrastructure, People, Enterprise, M&P

· Corporate Plan – LDA business plan

Areas of Achievement

How we work• CIP (Corporate Investment Panel)• Specific Equality Investment-Approx £40m (£75m

inc Opps Funds)• Specific investment in BAME business support- £43m• Opportunities Fund £50m – 78 projects – 15,000

BAME - 14,000 women – 5,000 disabled• Rigorous performance monitoring – 24

measurements – budget allocation/forecast spend• Level 5 - ESLG

Areas of Achievement

• Targets – BAME WOMEN DISABLED

• Business Link Transition- £23m per year

• Diversity Works for London – £10m over 4 years

• Stephen Lawrence Centre, Bernie Grant Centre, Wembley, Rich Mix

•High unemployment rate.•High child poverty rate. •Barriers to employment and skills needs.•High costs.•Health inequalities.•Pollution issues.•Transport.

London’s challenges

• Equality and Diversity Strategy (sophistication)– Economic activity of Muslim women– Employment Support –

Disabled/Bangladeshi/Pakistani – (esp women)– Business support – Black Carib/African

Carib/Black Others– Skills training –Bangladeshi/Black

Carib/Muslium/Mix Race

Challenges

• LDA delivers on key commitments/diversity and legacy• LETF

- Construction Skills Training- Volunteer Programme- Local Labour and Business Scheme

• Olympic Intelligence and Forecasting Unit• Olympic Business Club• ODA/Listed Authority• Legacy

– 29 days– 250k jobs– 100k new homes

Olympics - Challenge

• Procurement Opportunities

– www.london2012.com/business– www.tendertowin.com– PDP substantial expansion– NSMDC– Procurement Strategy

• Robustness of Contracts

– PQQs (Diversity Dividend)– Questionnaires

Olympics - Challenge