The South East

The South East and London are strongly inter-linked: the wealth and influence of the city spreads by varying degrees throughout the region. There are large commuter flows, with 370,000 South East residents travelling to London each day while 128,000 Londoners travel outwards to jobs in the South East. 

 

However, the South East also has a number of nationally significant centres such as Reading and Oxford that generate their own wealth and jobs and in turn their own commuting flows.  The result is a multi-centred or 'polycentric' region gathered around London, a city that operates on a global scale. 

 

The challenge for the region is to manage development whilst dealing with the inequalities and accessibility issues between the eastern and western halves of the region, the threat of dangerous climate change and the ongoing need to protect the extensive and precious natural resources which contribute to the region's character.