London is to receive £680 million of European Social Fund (ESF) investment funding to tackle unemployment, provide skills and reduce crime and violence.

The new seven-year London European Social fund (ESF) programme, which is to be administered by London mayor Boris Johnson and directed by the London Development Agency, will provide support to hundreds of projects throughout the capital.

Johnson said: "I welcome this funding from the European Commission, through which some of the issues facing London's poorest citizens will be addressed. We will make the most of the opportunities the new programme provides to get more Londoners into sustainable jobs. This includes addressing the needs of our youth, especially those at risk of offending or who require a second chance to turn their life around."

James Plaskitt, minister with responsibility for the ESF at the Department for Work and Pensions, said: "Our priority is to support those who, despite record employment levels, remain out of work, giving people new life-changing opportunities."