This winter’s progress update from the Westminster Anchor Alliance shows once again what Labour leadership can achieve when public institutions and private partners unite around a shared mission: delivering tangible opportunities for local people across Westminster.
The Alliance brings together employers from healthcare, education, tech and property to make sure economic growth reaches all our communities. Featuring British Land, Grosvenor, Crown Estate, Microsoft, Kings College, London Zoo, Imperial NHS, Octavia and Westminster Council itself, the Anchor Alliance is starting to make a real impact.
Real outcomes for residents and young people
You can read the details in the Winter Report but here are some highlights from October to December 2025:
- 420 students benefitted from British Land’s employability programmes.
- 10 unemployed Westminster residents secured work through Grosvenor-led support.
- Imperial College Healthcare saw an 87% success rate in Medical Lab Assistant recruitment, with 82% progressing into paid roles.
- 15 young people received mentoring via Microsoft’s Embrace Programme.
- 12 Westminster schools are now on-board King’s College London’s widening participation pathway.
- 22 local subcontractors are active in apprenticeship schemes through The Crown Estate’s retrofit work.
These outcomes not just box-ticking. They represent real routes into work, skills and careers for Westminster residents.
Launching Grosvenor’s Positive Futures — a new milestone
One highlight, and a powerful example of the Alliance in action, was the launch of Grosvenor’s £5 million Positive Futures commitment, a new initiative designed to expand support to young people, particularly care leavers. Cllr Geoff Barraclough (on the far left of the photo) gave a keynote speech at the launch event. Grosvenor is partnering with Catch22, a respected national charity already working closely with Westminster Council to support care leavers into good work.
Driving inclusive growth and skills development
Under Labour’s leadership, Westminster City Council has continued to champion high standards in inclusive employment. The Council achieved the Excellence level in the Mayor’s Good Work Standard, recognising its leadership in providing secure, fair and diverse careers.
The Anchor Alliance is also contributing to:
- Green skills and retrofit apprenticeships, linked to The Crown Estate’s heritage programmes.
- Expanded tech and digital skills opportunities through Microsoft partnerships.
- Continued support for regeneration areas including North Paddington, Church Street and Pimlico.
Focused on young people, communities and fair opportunity
Whether it’s supporting students, mentoring young people into careers, or opening doors for care leavers through Positive Futures, the Alliance is creating opportunities where they are needed most.
Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development said “Westminster is a tale of two cities, with massive opportunity sitting right next to areas of high deprivation. The Anchor Alliance is part of our Fairer Economy plan to bridge this gap and give our residents with the confidence, skills and connections they need to land the great jobs on their doorstep