The Upper Lee Valley, covering the London boroughs of Haringey, Enfield, and Waltham Forest, has significant potential for economic growth, but faces persistent challenges around productivity, inequality and sustainability. Our research, based on the seven-capitals framework (physical, human, financial, social, institutional, intangible, and natural), reveals a mixed picture: strong physical and financial assets, but weaknesses in innovation and environmental performance. All three boroughs rank highly for infrastructure and connectivity, yet natural capital is a major concern, with emissions placing them in the bottom 20% nationally.
Productivity levels remain below the London average, with Enfield slightly above the UK average but losing ground, while Haringey and Waltham Forest have seen long-term declines. Employment growth has been concentrated in lower-wage sectors, and skills mismatches persist. Sector analysis shows creative industries as a shared strength, alongside niche specialisms such as construction and warehousing in Enfield and computer repair in Waltham Forest. However, intangible capital, such as innovation and digitalisation, lags behind, limiting competitiveness in high-growth sectors.
Stakeholder engagement highlights strong institutional collaboration through the Tri-Borough Partnership and innovative projects like Enfield’s district heat network and Waltham Forest’s creative hubs. Yet barriers remain around affordable commercial space, funding certainty and aligning training provision with employer needs. Housing affordability and health inequalities compound these challenges, with life expectancy gaps of up to eight years between affluent and deprived areas.
A further innovation created by the Tri-Borough Partnership is the Productive Valley Fund to support businesses in the Upper Lee Valley, particularly in manufacturing, creative and green industries. Its purpose is to provide capital loans to help firms invest in new production methods, upgrade equipment, create and improve workspaces, and generate jobs and apprenticeships. The fund aims to stimulate inclusive economic growth, strengthen sectoral specialisms and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, making the Upper Lee Valley a competitive and sustainable industrial corridor.
Our recommendations focus on four priorities: deepening collaborative governance in the Tri-Borough Partnership, improving data-driven decision-making, investing in sustainable workspaces and infrastructure, and strengthening education-business partnerships to close skills gaps. By leveraging existing strengths and addressing these systemic issues, the Upper Lee Valley can unlock inclusive, sustainable growth and position itself as a dynamic hub for innovation and opportunity.
Authors Kate Penney, Michael Francis, Philip McCann, Joel Hoskins, Marianne Sensier, Abhi Sharma