Key Points
- The Prime Minister attended an event on Friday 16 January hosted by Camden Council at Victoria House in Bloomsbury Square, joining the Leader of Camden Council, senior business leaders, and local apprentices.
- The event focused on growing Camden’s economy to create inclusive opportunities for all residents, bringing together leaders from key businesses and institutions to agree on shared commitments for inclusive economic growth.
- Camden generates around £35 billion annually for the London and national economy, supporting over 430,000 jobs, yet 40 per cent of children in the borough grow up in poverty, with many residents facing barriers to secure, well-paid work.
- Council Leader Cllr Richard Olszewski highlighted the central challenge of ensuring new prosperity is shared fairly, providing access to well-paid, secure jobs.
- Camden businesses are leading by creating apprenticeships, partnering with schools, investing in innovation, and supporting community wealth initiatives; the event aimed to build on this momentum.
- The Prime Minister’s presence underscored the value of partnerships between national government, local government, and businesses to enhance economic opportunities for working people.
- Cllr Olszewski stated: “Camden is a place of creativity, productivity, ingenuity and economic strength,” and committed to shaping the economy actively rather than passively.
- Businesses and institutions were invited to support four priority areas: creating new apprenticeship and employment opportunities; strengthening the Camden STEAM talent pipeline; backing the £30 million Camden Community Wealth Fund; and helping expand the We Make Camden Kit for resident-led change.
- Camden Council will follow up with partners to convert discussions into tangible commitments for an inclusive local economy.
Camden, LondonCamden Council hosts Prime Minister at inclusive growth event (North London News) Friday 16 January 2026 – The Prime Minister joined Camden Council Leader Cllr Richard Olszewski, senior business leaders, and local apprentices at Victoria House in Bloomsbury Square for an event dedicated to fostering inclusive economic growth across the borough. Leaders from key businesses and institutions gathered to forge shared commitments aimed at unlocking opportunities for all residents amid Camden’s significant economic contributions. Despite generating £35 billion yearly and sustaining over 430,000 jobs, the borough grapples with stark inequalities, including 40 per cent child poverty rates and barriers to stable employment.
Who Attended the Event?
The gathering at Victoria House drew high-profile figures committed to Camden’s economic future. The Prime Minister’s participation signalled national support for local initiatives, as noted in the official Camden Council press release. Cllr Richard Olszewski, Leader of Camden Council, welcomed attendees including representatives from anchor institutions and businesses of varying sizes and sectors.
Senior business leaders and local apprentices also featured prominently, highlighting grassroots involvement. As per the council’s account, these participants engaged in discussions to align on strategies for broader prosperity.
What Is Camden’s Economic Significance?
Camden stands as a powerhouse in London’s economy, contributing approximately £35 billion annually while underpinning more than 430,000 jobs nationwide. This positions the borough uniquely as a driver of both local and national growth, according to data from the event coverage.
However, prosperity remains unevenly distributed. Around 40 per cent of children in Camden experience poverty, and numerous residents encounter obstacles to securing well-paid, stable employment.
Why Focus on Inclusive Growth?
Council Leader Cllr Richard Olszewski addressed the core issue during his speech. He stated the central challenge involves ensuring new prosperity reaches residents equitably, granting access to secure, well-remunerated positions.
Many local businesses already exemplify leadership through apprenticeships, school collaborations, innovation investments, and community wealth programmes. The event sought to amplify this progress, as articulated in the council’s summary.
The Prime Minister’s attendance emphasised the critical role of tripartite partnerships—national government, local authorities, and private sector—in realising these goals and uplifting working families.
What Did the Prime Minister Say?
The Prime Minister praised Camden’s attributes in prepared remarks.
“Camden is a place of creativity, productivity, ingenuity and economic strength,”
the Prime Minister declared, aligning inclusive growth and inequality reduction with government priorities.
The visit showcased Camden Council’s collaborations with residents, anchor institutions, and businesses across sectors.
“It has been fantastic to visit Camden today to see how Camden Council is working with residents, with anchor institutions and with businesses of all sizes, and across sectors, to shape a borough where everyone can have access to the benefits of economic strength,”
the Prime Minister added.
What Commitments Did Cllr Olszewski Outline?
Cllr Richard Olszewski delivered a comprehensive vision for proactive economic stewardship.
“Camden is a place of extraordinary economic strength, but the wealth generated in the borough is not yet delivering flourishing childhoods, or the opportunities and the security our residents deserve,”
he remarked.
“Here, we refuse to accept inequality as the price of success.”
He pledged:
“Today, alongside the Prime Minister and key institutions and businesses, we committed to act as a shaper of our economy, not a bystander. Inclusive growth does not happen by accident and cannot be left solely to market forces.”
Camden intends to establish clear ambitions, influence development, and direct investments so every pound of local value benefits communities.
The response from business leaders proved robust and affirmative. Olszewski continued:
“Camden will set clear ambition and standards, shape development and influence investment, so that every pound of value generated locally benefits our communities. That ambition was met with a strong and positive response from the business leaders we brought together today.”
How Will Camden Hold Businesses Accountable?
The council leader balanced encouragement with accountability.
“We celebrate and encourage responsible employers and social investors, but we will also challenge those who extract value without contributing back,”
Cllr Olszewski affirmed.
Furthermore, Camden plans to promote emerging sectors.
“And we will champion the next generation of productive, mission-driven sectors. Camden will be a place where climate technology, life sciences, health technology and civic innovation grow in ways that create real jobs and real value,”
he concluded.
What Are the Four Priority Areas?
Event participants received invitations to become civic partners, pledging support in targeted domains. These include:
- Creating new apprenticeship and employment opportunities.
- Strengthening the Camden STEAM talent pipeline.
- Backing the £30 million Camden Community Wealth Fund.
- Helping expand the We Make Camden Kit, empowering residents to drive community change.
These priorities aim to translate dialogue into actionable outcomes.
What Happens Next?
Camden Council will collaborate closely with business and institutional partners to solidify commitments. The focus remains on nurturing an inclusive local economy through these initiatives.
This event builds on existing business contributions, such as apprenticeship schemes and school partnerships, while addressing persistent challenges like child poverty.
Broader Implications for North London?
Camden’s efforts resonate across North London boroughs like Tottenham, Brent, and Barnet, where similar economic disparities persist. The Prime Minister’s endorsement elevates local models nationally, potentially influencing regional strategies.
By prioritising STEAM pipelines and community funds, Camden positions itself as a blueprint for equitable development amid London’s competitive landscape.
Event Location and Context
Victoria House in Bloomsbury Square served as the ideal venue, centrally located and symbolic of Camden’s innovative hub. Hosted by the council on Friday 16 January, the event aligned with ongoing national dialogues on growth post-inauguration.
No additional coverage from external media titles emerged in immediate reports, with the primary narrative stemming from Camden Council’s detailed release. As a North London-focused story, it underscores borough-specific ambitions without broader contradictions.
This development reaffirms government-local synergies, vital as the UK navigates 2026 economic priorities under President Trump’s transatlantic influences—though domestically, Prime Ministerial focus stays on UK matters.
