This article was originally published by the Thames Estuary Growth Board on LinkedIn on 26 March (PDF version here).
Six months have passed since the Thames Estuary Growth Board launched its Five-Point Plan for Fair Growth and Investment. This was an important moment for us, we sought to pause and think about our goals and focus, considering how we want to work and the type of region we want the Estuary to be.
This work came from our fundamental belief that prioritising fairness is the key to truly understanding the experiences of those living and working in a rapidly evolving and dynamic region like the Thames Estuary. This is more than about doing the right thing, it helps us to give better advice and support to investors; build stronger partnerships; and better demonstrate our impact.
Our journey toward fairness began with the realisation that much of the recent growth and investment we’ve witnessed in our region has been neither inclusive, nor equitably distributed. As a result, it hasn’t been truly fair. We recognised that many communities in the Estuary have been left behind and that this weakens our economy and undermines our plans for the future.
This has eroded trust, diminished community participation, and contributed to lower life satisfaction. It has also fostered increasing disenchantment with local politics, creating a sense of unfairness and a lack of faith in the institutions meant to deliver change.
Initially, our work responded to the government’s idea of 'Levelling Up,' but we quickly found that the term didn’t resonate with us or our partners in the Estuary. We needed to forge our own path—one rooted in a clear, consistent approach from the outset. We sought a strategy that would guide not just what we do, but how we do it, instead of offering a retrospective critique of past investments aimed at benefiting who were disadvantaged and/or felt left behind.
We were therefore fortunate and grateful that our move from Levelling Up coincided with the launch of the Fairness Foundation's Fair Necessities - pioneering work which helped reshape our thinking about the region and the outcomes we hope to achieve.
The Fairness Foundation’s research highlights that fairness is an inherent human value. It recognises that we build society around the need for fair cooperation and the rewards of positive behaviour. Studies consistently show that fairness is one of society’s most deeply held priorities. Its absence has sparked numerous public and political debates—from the cost-of-living crisis to the Partygate scandal and the Post Office Horizon debacle.
The Fair Necessities provided us with a practical checklist which could be applied across all of our work which, unlike the slightly nebulous definition of Levelling Up, had direct relevance and resonance to our region and the people who live there.
Fair Essentials: Are we addressing the persistent causes of poverty in our region and ensuring access to life's essentials for all?
Fair Opportunities: Do our efforts create opportunities for people to maximise their potential?
Fair Rewards: Are we recognising and rewarding local residents for their contributions during their working lives?
Fair Exchange: Are we supporting the public services people expect in return for their taxes, thereby rebuilding trust in local politics?
Fair Treatment: Are we treating people with respect, dignity, and an understanding of their specific needs?
This checklist is helpful, but we knew that without solid evidence to support our case, our mandate would be weak. That’s why we undertook the most thorough socioeconomic inequality assessment the Thames Estuary has ever seen, using both robust quantitative data and qualitative interviews. This research doesn’t just delve into statistics—it captures the lived experience of those who feel disconnected, deprived of equitable access to goods, services, and opportunities.
By blending these approaches, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of the most urgent issues facing our region and the fundamental changes required to foster truly fair growth and investment.
The research provided seven barriers where we will need to see fundamental change, if we are to become a fairer region:
Lack of appropriate, affordable housing – Recognising that we have an immediate crisis, but need a big shift to radical new approaches to bolster the housing product and finance, which can be best realised at a regional level
Lack of trust and community resilience – Recognising that we need to think long term in repairing broken local trust, giving local communities a greater feeling of stewardship within their areas
The changing nature of work – Recognising that the labour market has changed fundamentally and we need to support adaptation for businesses and workers
Mobility and access to good local transport – Recognising that a decline in local bus services is a reduction in public good and has contributed to some communities in the Estuary being left behind
Historic racial injustice and disproportionality – Recognising that inequality is inequitable and that some ethnic groups have historically been underrepresented in political decision making at the distribution of resources
Disengagement and lack of voice for future generations – Recognising the UN's Declaration on Future Generations and the need to give young people more agency over their future
Just and equitable transition and mitigation of the impacts of the climate crisis – Recognising the potential of climate crisis to drive further inequality and inequity in the region
Whereas the five Fair Necessities provide a strategic overlay, the seven barriers provide the practical changes we need to make to achieve our goal.
By focusing on fairness, we’ve committed ourselves to tackling these deeply ingrained issues, which have been decades—if not centuries—in the making. We know the Growth Board alone cannot deliver a fairer Estuary, but we are positioned to convene partners and support new ways of thinking and acting.
Despite some initial scepticism around the subjective nature of fairness, we’ve found that it is, in fact, a far more relatable concept. The ability for people to define fairness in their own terms makes it complex, but also much more tangible and relevant to everyday life. In an era where trust in politics and formal institutions is waning, fairness provides a much-needed sense of connection to the work of the Growth Board.
Our approach to taking action has been to prioritise building the tools, resources, and behaviours necessary to think differently, rather than being drawn to specific new projects or isolated interventions. This is the essence of our Five-Point Plan for Fair Growth and Investment, which is structured around five pillars:
Better Evidence: To deliver fairness, we need to better understand the diverse challenges faced by individuals and communities. This requires an ongoing commitment to high-quality research and deeper collaboration with partners.
Stronger Voice: We must amplify underrepresented voices, empowering Estuary residents and ensuring that those most affected by unfair economic conditions have a platform to contribute to the future.
Fairness First: We want fairness to be a primary consideration for all partners and investors, driving consistency in how fairness is assessed and incorporated into decisions.
Challenging Norms: The status quo isn’t working. We must break down barriers, challenge outdated approaches, and confront racial disproportionality and intergenerational inequity head-on.
Empower Grassroots: Grassroots organisations are already playing a crucial role in addressing inequality. We need to support and empower them, reducing the barriers they face and ensuring they have the resources to do more.
While this work is still in its early stages, it has already been embedded into the Growth Board's plans for the next five years and beyond. Partners have recognised its significance, and several key stakeholders, including the Thames Freeport and the Duchy Of Cornwall, have embraced the plan as part of their own strategies.
Whilst the strategic case has been well understood, the more significant challenge will be embedding this narrative at a local level. As Kent and Essex move toward becoming mayoral authorities, maintaining strong connections to the communities that make up the Estuary will be essential.
Our commitment to deepening our understanding of fairness will guide this process, ensuring that the Thames Estuary becomes not only the fairest region in the country, but provides an exemplar from which other can learn as they think about their regions and the fair economies they want to create.
This article was originally published by the Thames Estuary Growth Board on LinkedIn on 26 March (PDF version here).
The Thames has a lot of raw sewage