The Decline of Manufacturing Employment in Greater London: 1966-74

Abstract

Using data on closures and transfers, the decline of manufacturing employment in Greater London is resolved into its components. The largest component is the net decline due to the difference between closures and openings with 44 per cent of the total job loss, followed by movement with 27 per cent and in situ shrinkage with 22 per cent. The rate of decline differs little between inner and outer London but inner London suffers more from closures and outer London suffers more from movement, particularly to the Assisted Areas. South East London and the East End have been especially hard hit, and smaller plants appear most prone to closure. The major cause of movement from London was restrictions upon expansion caused by site congestion, obsolescent premises and labour shortages.