The Federation of British Industries is launching a partnership plan with the next London Mayor
The national economic organization describes decisions the next mayor must make as crucial to the capital’s recovery and long-term strength
The Federation of British Industries (CBI) has published a manifesto proposing steps the next mayor should take to maintain the capital’s global competitiveness, address the environmental crisis and partnered job prospects and prosperity for poorer Londoners to improve with the economy.
The 33-page document, titled London Revival Plan, describes the rescheduled May 6th Mayoral election as “perhaps the city’s most critical election yet” and calls on the competition winner to work with London’s business community to advance their position on the world stage to protect and improve the face of the “triple shocks of coronavirus, Brexit and climate change”.
The Manifesto argues that from City Hall, London’s economic dynamism can be boosted by “an even recovery of all London boroughs” that “supports business and academic networks to create local prosperity and prosperity” while maintaining London’s established strongest international sectors be used .
It is said that companies can help the mayor transform the capital’s “digital and physical infrastructure” as part of “Britain’s net zero race” by promoting “green multi-mode transport” and superior digital connectivity and such build the city long-term elasticity.
In a third main theme, the manifesto states that it is the duty of companies to support the communities at an uncertain time. This is a priority investment in “emerging and high-demand skills” and closing the digital divide. There is also an obligation to help reduce crime and “social housing”.
The CBI, a national membership organization for nearly 2,000 companies, has praised the nine “missions” for social and economic renewal established by the London Recovery Board, a body of corporate, community and volunteer organizations co-chaired by Sadiq Khan and the chairman of the However, London Councils, Georgia Gould, agrees with the Board that “these cannot be viewed as” panaceas “in support of full economic recovery.”
It recommends that the Mayor of London work with the nine English Mayors of England “to advocate inclusive leveling across the UK, including metropolitan areas with high levels of deprivation, as seen in London.” And a lot of emphasis is placed on “advocating the reconfiguration of main roads, activity zones and the CAZ [Central Activity Zone, comprising the West End, City and Canary Wharf]”
“The reconfiguration of the main centers of London will be an important part of the recovery,” says the manifesto, “and should seek to build London’s reputation as a cultural center.” In the future, main roads should allow social interactions for work and leisure. This should include promoting (and developing) the importance of leisure and dining establishments such as cinemas and restaurants. “
There is a widespread desire for a “major reform of the business rate regime” to support London’s main streets with better energy efficiency, thus “supporting the expansion of business investment across the capital.”
“International connectivity” including air travel should be “revived and strengthened”, says the manifesto, which speaks out against the introduction of a tourism tax – similar to the one imposed on visitors in other large cities – “in this mayoral term”. The future Mayor is also asked to expand the work of the London Overseas Trade Missions to include the development of creative industries such as Film London and events such as London Fashion Week.
Barking & Dagenham’s Council’s successful contract with a Los Angeles company to build a film studio, Eastbrook, is selected as a case study demonstrating “the value of London and the British film industry to Brand Britain”. Five other “global cities” – New York, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo and the smaller but rapidly growing Shanghai – are identified as case studies for comparison with London and its associated competitors.
Read the CBI’s London Revival Plan Manifesto in full here.
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