Responding to the recent election of the Labour Party, Antonia Jennings, Chief Executive at Centre for London, said:

“As the Labour Party enter government, we hope to see an end to the anti-London rhetoric which has run rampant among politicians of all stripes in recent years. We ask them to take the capital seriously and work with us to create an inclusive, successful and sustainable London, so Londoners and the wider UK can thrive. 

London is the UK’s economic powerhouse, providing £4 in every £10 of revenue to the Treasury despite being home to just 15% of the UK population. Yet, with productivity stalling, London’s economic success cannot be taken for granted. To support the new government’s goals around sustainable growth and improvements to public services across the UK, we need an economically prosperous capital city.  

This incoming Labour government must also act to rebalance our city’s significant wealth inequality. Despite the capital’s economic power, 1 in 4 Londoners live in poverty after accounting for housing costs. Homelessness is up 50% on the decade. 1 in 7 Londoners cannot afford an unexpected £20 bill. London’s poverty must be tackled for the benefit of Londoners, and the wider country.”