Thames Freeport is set to become one of the first major investment zones in the UK to trial a new approach which ensures local people benefit from the economic growth it generates.
A new Social Value Framework sets out how billions of pounds of investment can translate into lasting local benefits – not only through jobs and business growth, but through strengthening the social infrastructure, community networks and pathways into opportunity that help communities prosper over the long term.
The Framework has been developed by an independent commission of local and national leaders convened by the Royal Society of Arts. It builds on work that suggests economic growth often fails to reach local communities because opportunity does not spread automatically.
Instead, prosperity is more likely to be widely shared where people are connected to opportunity through trusted local institutions, strong community relationships and accessible routes into good work.
Thames Freeport has already unlocked £2.2 billion in private investment and created 1,600 jobs across East London and South Essex, with ambitions to support 21,000 jobs in the years ahead.
The Social Value Framework focuses on three connected priorities:
Residents and community organisations engaged through the Commission stressed that jobs alone are not enough. People need to believe that new opportunities are genuinely for them and their communities. The Framework is designed to ensure these opportunities are visible, accessible and meaningful for the communities surrounding the Freeport sites.
Tom Stratton, Chief Impact Officer at the Royal Society of Arts, said: “This work reflects a growing understanding that strong communities are not separate from economic growth – they are fundamental to it. The Social Value Framework represents a new approach that recognises social connections, trust and community capacity as essential ingredients to Thames Freeport’s lasting success. At the Royal Society of Arts, we believe stronger communities are a prerequisite to a healthy economy, places and society, and this Framework sets out a practical way to put that principle into action.”
Stuart Rimmer, CEO of Thames Freeport, said: “I want to thank the commissioners for the time, insight and ambition they’ve brought to this work. They have created a charter which demonstrates that investment translates into better jobs, wider opportunity and stronger communities. This report reinforces our ambition to create lasting, locally felt benefits across the Freeport area.”
Dame Sally Dicketts, Chair of South Essex College Group, said: “Too often, investment happens around communities, not with them. Creating jobs is only part of the story – we need clear pathways,with training and development into those roles, particularly for people at risk of being left behind. We want the local community to feel and be engaged now and into the future This approach connects skills, opportunity and ambition in a genuinely joined-up way and gives hope and economic security to everyone.”
Katie Kelly, Chair of New Local, said: “Too often, local people see growth happening around them without feeling the benefits in their own lives. This framework recognises that communities must have a real stake in economic change – through good jobs, stronger local relationships and genuine opportunities to shape the future of their area.”
Dave Smith, CEO of Thurrock Council, said: “Thurrock sits at the heart of the Thames Freeport, and this report is an important step in ensuring that growth here delivers meaningful benefits for our communities. By focusing on social value from the outset, we can help create opportunities, raise aspirations and ensure that local people share in economic success.”
Rob Wilson, Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission said:
“To drive social mobility and widen opportunity, we need to increase the quality and quantity of opportunity both regionally and nationally. A thriving and active local economy drives ambition and aspirations for everyone, particularly young people. This new report highlights geography and local participation really matter when making new investments in an area like Thames Freeport – to ensure the benefits reach local people. We know success stories are rooted in people knowing their efforts will be rewarded with good jobs that enable them to improve their circumstances.”
Fiona Taylor, CEO of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, said: “The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham has a strong focus on securing social value from growth in the Borough and recognises the importance of generating new employment opportunities for better paid jobs and careers. We therefore support the Thames Freeport: Social Value Framework and the associated Good Work Charter. The Thames Freeport offers unique opportunities and scope for significant inward investment into the sub-region, but it is essential all partners work together so that the benefits for local communities are maximised. These plans are a keyway of achieving this.”
The Good Work Charter will be discussed further by the Thames Freeport Board, including how the principles set out by the Commission could be reflected within the Thames Freeport Infrastructure and Investment Framework, due to be published later this summer.
The next steps include:
The RSA will continue to support this work as part of its wider focus on strengthening connections and communities, ensuring that economic change is shaped by the people it affects.
About the RSA
We are the RSA, the royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce. We are a social impact charity that has been at the forefront of social change for 270 years. Through our Design for Life mission, we turn world-leading ideas into world-changing actions. We’re committed to a world where everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to more resilient, rebalanced, and regenerative futures. Central to all our work is our global network of over 31,000 Fellows, who work collectively to enable people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony.
Find out more at thersa.org
