London is a major hub for global companies and careers, with one-fourth of the top 500 global companies based there. It accounts for 23.7% of the UK's total economic output and has a highly educated workforce, with 40% of working-age Londoners holding a higher education qualification compared to 30% nationally. However, two-thirds of London firms reported difficulty recruiting highly skilled staff. The number of jobs and employees in London has grown substantially in recent years, particularly in professional, scientific, technical, administrative, and support service fields.

1. LONDON CAREERS OVERVIEW
of the top
500 GLOBAL COMPANIES
are based in London
The London Business School, Employment Report 2014 Oxford Economics, April 2014 London Councils, May 2013 Office for National Statistics, July 2013
London accounts for
of the UK’s GVA
(Gross Value Added)
of London’s
working age
population holds a LEVEL 4
qualification (equivalent
to a certificate of higher
education) compared
TO 30% ACROSS THE UK
in London (66%
)
reported difficulty
recruiting highly
skilled staff
The living wage is now
£9.15
the number of employees
rose FROM 3.6 MILLION
TO 4.2 MILLION in London
Almost
4OUT OF 10EMPLOYEES
in London work for a firm
employing 2,500+
employees
Between MARCH 2012 and
MARCH 2014 London has seen
particularly strong
employment growth in
‘PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND
TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES’
(300,000 jobs),
‘ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT
SERVICE ACTIVITIES’
(222,000 jobs)
75%
BBC News – Business, November 2014 Office for National Statistics, July 2013
AN HOUR
IN LONDON
and £7.85
an hour
in the rest
of the UK
23.7%
TWO-THIRDS
OF FIRMS
Office for National Statistics, February 2013 Left Foot Forward, June 2014
4
3
2
1
40% BETWEEN
2001
AND
2012