London and the rest of UK depend on each other for their success. The whole of the UK gains from London’s role as one of the world’s leading cities and from the ceaseless flow of students, workers, goods, services, and ideas into and out of London and across the country.

All our cities and regions face huge challenges. London, in particular, has the highest rates of household poverty in any English region and has been hit especially hard by government cuts. Noone benefits from the UK’s exceptionally large regional inequalities and exceptionally centralised system of government.

We call on all the parties running for office in next month’s general election to commit to redoubling investment and devolving powers from Whitehall. Giving cities and regions more power over taxes raised locally will allow them to develop better, more tailored solutions to their problems.

It is time to set cities and regions free.

SIGNED

James Banks, Chief Executive, London Funders

Siobhan Benita, London Mayoral Candidate

Siân Berry, London Mayoral Candidate

Peter Bishop, CEO, London Chamber of Commerce

Andrew Boff, Member of the London Assembly

Cllr Ruth Dombey, Lib Dem Leader of the London Borough of Sutton

Cllr Peter John OBE, Leader of Southwark Council

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

Catherine McGuinness, Chair, Policy & Resources Committee, City of London Corporation

Bharat Mehta CBE, Chief Executive, Trust for London

Ben Rogers, Director, Centre for London

Rory Stewart, London Mayoral Candidate

Tony Travers, Director, LSE London

Jonathan Werran, Chief Executive, Localis

Jasmine Whitbread, Chief Executive, London First