24/06-11   -   Press releases

IBM survey reveals Londoners believe better cooperation between public sector services would improve the way the city is run

Londoners surveyed also wanted closer communication with city leaders

IBM’s (NYSE:IBM) Smarter Cities survey, of over 2,000 adults from four UK cities, has found that Londoners want better cooperation between public sector services, as well as closer communication with their city leaders.
Key findings of the IBM Smarter Cities Survey include:

- 76% of Londoners surveyed would like to see better cooperation between public sector services

- 73% think city leaders need to communicate better with the public

- Londoners think their local council is most responsible for improving their city (53% rated them as one of the two bodies most responsible), followed by the Mayor (42%)

- The cost of living is a significant issue for Londoners, with 69% of people citing it as one of the three worst things about living in the city

- A quarter of people surveyed in London say that their quality of life has deteriorated over the last 12 months, as opposed to less than half of that number (only 12%) who believe their life has got better

These issues are being discussed today on IBM’s Smarter Cities Sofa at the BASE London conference. Delegates at the event will be invited to join IBM experts and external speakers on the sofa to discuss how to address London’s challenges, and make it a Smarter City.

Experts joining the debate will include:

- Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

- Steven Norris, Chair of the BASE London Advisory Board and previous Conservative candidate for London Mayor

- Colin Stanbridge - Chief Executive, London Chamber of Commerce

- Martin Powell - Director of Environment, London Development Agency

- Ian Short - Chief Executive, Institute for Sustainability

- Joanna Averley - Acting Chief Executive, Centre for Cities

- Andy Deacon - Director of Local Delivery, Energy Saving Trust

- Gerry Gormal, Executive Director of Development and Regeneration Services, Glasgow City Council

There appears to be a strong belief in localism in the capital; surveyed Londoners said that responsibility for improving their city falls upon local councils (53% rated them as one of the two most responsible bodies) and the mayor (42%). The local community (32%) was seen as more important, in terms of improving the city, than central government (24%). However, despite this focus on the council, the services that surveyed Londoners felt are most important are health, policing and education (in that order) – policy areas that the council doesn’t directly control.

“This survey shows Londoners are keen for greater efficiency through closer collaboration" commented Lynn Ferguson, IBM Industry Executive for Local Public Services. “The ´Smartest Cities´ will be those that have an integrated view of the information associated with city systems such as energy, transport, healthcare and water. Those that do will be best placed to deliver improvements in the quality of public services and in the creation of attractive locations for people and business alike."

Londoners, according to the survey, find the cost of living to be the worst aspect of living in London, with 69% of people citing it as one of the three biggest problems. Affordability of housing is a particular headache, with a third of those surveyed saying it is the main factor that would make them move to another city. People from London are most likely to describe their city as “expensive" (72%), while those from Brighton, Glasgow and Leeds are most likely to use the positive word, “vibrant".

On the subject of communication between city leaders and Londoners, Steven Norris, Chair of the BASE London Advisory Board and previous Conservative candidate for London Mayor, commented “The 40 sheet poster doesn´t work, free newspapers are too dear and not enough people read them. Only the internet has the power to reach the millions of people who either live or work in London. Social networks now boast more members than most countries. Imaginative viral campaigns aimed at specific interests in London but all bound together by the overarching theme of living in the world´s greatest city has to be the way forward."

Despite any challenges they might face, Londoners remain proud of their city; 72% of those questioned said that they were proud to say they are from London.

Notes to Editors
To join the Twitter conversation on the 22nd May, use the hashtag #IBMBase

About the survey
ComRes conducted an online survey of 506 Londoner adults between the 13th and 27th of May 2011. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all London adults. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abide by its rules. Full data tables can be found at: www.comres.co.uk

About IBM Smarter Cities
For more information on IBM´s Smarter Cities initiative visit: http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/uk/en/sustainable_cities/visions/index.html