- 27th February 2026
- Back to All News
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business, visited the London Borough of Redbridge on Wednesday 25 February to discuss the borough’s economic growth priorities and mark the official launch of a new Connect To Work partnership.
From April 2026, ‘Connect To Work’– a supported employment programme launched as part of the Government’s Get Britain Working strategy – will be funded through sub-regional partnerships via the GLA.
During his visit, Howard Dawber met with the Leader and the Chief Executive of Redbridge Council, which hosts and is a member of the Local London sub-regional partnership, to welcome the next phase of the Connect To Work programme.
The programme is expected to make a significant impact on the lives of people far from the job market. Through the GLA, the Local London sub-region will receive £36.1m to help in excess of 9,000 people across its nine boroughs over four years through Connect To Work.
The Connect To Work partnership between the GLA, Local London and its nine member boroughs, will use a tried and tested funding model that has already changed the lives of Londoners across its four sub-regional partnerships through initiatives including ‘No Wrong Door’, Trailblazers and Careers Hubs.
A pillar of inclusive growth, Connect To Work is successfully working with businesses and supporting residents with long-term health conditions, disabilities or complex barriers into good jobs and supporting those already in employment to stay in work.
Rounding out his tour of Ilford, the Deputy Mayor, took the time to speak with local businesses and residents who were excited to share how they have benefited from GLA-funded programmes.
Cllr Kam Rai, Leader of the London Borough of Redbridge, said “We were delighted to welcome Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business today and discuss Redbridge’s economic growth strategy and our role in sub-regional and London-wide prosperity. Redbridge is a diverse, fast‑growing and highly skilled borough, and we were proud to showcase some of our fantastic local businesses and the employment support available to residents. We look forward to deepening our partnership with the GLA and Local London to ensure even more people can thrive.”
Forogh Rahmani, Director of Local London, said “Connect To Work is part of our sub-region’s vision for boosting work and skills in this part of London, and it is already making a significant impact on the lives of people in our nine London boroughs. I am thrilled that Deputy Mayor Dawber was able to hear from businesses and residents in our host borough about a number of programmes that are driving inclusive economic growth. We are committed to working with the GLA and our boroughs to help local people find and stay in good work.”
Connect to Work is one of the programmes offered by Work Redbridge to help businesses recruit talent and help local people find jobs.
Find out more about Connect To Work in Redbridge: www.redbridge.gov.uk/jobs/work-redbridge
Discover more about the Connect To Work in Local London local.london/connect-to-work