The EU referendum of 23 June 2016 was a seismic event for the United Kingdom, with aftershocks and impacts that will be felt for many years to come.

Like the rest of the UK, London is now poised between idea and reality.  Many of the certainties of the past 40 years have been thrown in the air; we have yet to see where they will land.

On 8 July, Centre for London held a discussion comprising business leaders, politicians, and representatives of voluntary and community sector organisations, to discuss the risks that the referendum result poses for London and the prosperity and quality of life that the city offers.  This paper draws on that discussion to offer an initial snapshot of three of the main challenges facing London in the wake of Brexit, and to set out possible responses in terms of:

• Skills and Migration
• Development and infrastructure
• Social Cohesion

We argue that giving London more power over skills and migration policies, infrastructure and taxes would enable the capital to maintain and strengthen its contribution to the rest of the UK.

This report builds on the findings of Continental Capital – London’s Links with Europe, released in June 2016.