The European Social Fund has announced it is to invest £324m in jobs and skills in London over the next seven years from the European Social Fund (ESF).

The European funding is matched to national funding so that the total value of the 2007-2013 European Social Fund programme in the region is £648m.

The money from the European Social Fund will fund a range of activities such as job search advice and support, confidence building, basic skills and vocational qualifications.

The funding will be targeted at the groups who face the biggest barriers to work in the region. The ESF money will also help address regional skills needs.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone says: "London is growing at an unprecedented rate and its continuing growth will be underpinned by the 2012 Games and Crossrail. However, many Londoners are excluded from the opportunities that will be provided due to poor access to the training they need. In London we are already making real progress in tackling the capital's skills shortages with successful programmes linked to the 2012 Games as well as the recent launch of a skills strategy specifically for London.

“However, this new ESF funding for London, worth nearly £650 million over the next seven years when central government funding is taken into account, will make a real difference in supporting an increased focus on those facing the greatest challenges, and so help ensure all Londoners can benefit from the capital's booming economy.”