At this webinar, Centre for London launched ‘London at a crossroads,‘ the first report from the London Futures review.

Catch up on the discussion

About the event

London Futures is a once in a generation opportunity to develop a long term, strategic view of the city’s future. The last review of this scale, the 1991 London, World City report, was also the first to benchmark London as a global city, encouraging significant reforms to the capital’s governance, reputation and economy.

But London now finds itself at a crossroads. Coronavirus has upended much of what was assumed about London’s immediate future. Brexit, the backlash against globalisation, the climate emergency, automation, population change and a changing international order are all set to change London’s position in the world over the coming decades. And 20 years into its mayoralty, devolution seems to have stalled.

This launch event brought together senior leaders from national and local government, businesses, charities, and universities, along with the leaders of tomorrow, to reflect on London’s position today and explore the difficult decisions, trade-offs and scenarios for London’s future.

The panel discussed:

• What should the city’s priorities be? And what are the tradeoffs that London needs to face? How far ahead should we plan?
• What impact will the pandemic have on the lives and life chances of Londoners, especially the already disadvantaged?
• What do Londoners want the London of the future to be like?

Speakers

• Chair: Ben Rogers, Founding Director, Centre for London
• Ricardo Ennis, Young Cabinet Member for Jobs and Opportunities, London Borough of Lambeth
• Jack Hopkins, Leader of the Council, London Borough of Lambeth
• Rob Whitehead, Director of Strategic Projects, Centre for London

Panel

• Nickie Aiken, MP for Cities of London and Westminster
• Jake Ferguson, CEO, Hackney CVS
• Flavilla Fongang, Founder, 3 Colours Rule
• Catherine McGuinness, Chair of the Policy & Resources Committee, City of London Corporation