Boroughs issue new manifesto to boost capital’s prosperity
Central London Forward warns of challenges
Published: 2 April 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM
CENTRAL London is in danger of losing its status as an economic and cultural powerhouse unless it receives more support from government after the next election, town hall leaders have warned.
At the launch of a new manifesto for the area, leaders from seven authorities argued that successive governments had failed to appreciate its complexity at a time when the heart of London is suffering from chronic transport problems, severe overcrowding and high rates of joblessness.
While they stopped short of asking for increased funding, leaders said the consequences of ignoring central London and keeping it in a “straitjacket” would be catastrophic for people living in the area and the rest of the country.
The 2012 Olympic Games were hailed as an “all-eyes-on-us” moment, and leaders said opportunities to colour people’s vision of London for the next 20 years should not be missed in the way they were with Millennium celebrations.
Leaders from Westminster, Camden, Islington, Southwark, Lambeth and Kensington and Chelsea council’s joined forces at the German Gymnasium in King’s Cross to launch Central London Forward.
They argued that central London accounts for almost 40 per cent of the capital’s jobs, and brings in more than half of its business rates. They also called for an overhaul of the benefits system for central London boroughs and an acknowledgement from government that social housing in London should be treated differently.
Guests, including officials from the GLA and Department for Communities and Local Government were asked to help counter stereotypes about central London: the streets are paved with gold; everybody who lives there is wealthy; and there is too much infrastructure.
Colin Barrow, leader of Westminster City Council and chairman of Central London Forward said: “This is not a simple call for more money. We need government to work with us through challenging times. Without this focus on central London we risk not only jeopardising the performance of the country’s economic engine but also damaging our reputation as a great world city. We cannot turn our backs on the needs of our diverse communities and we must support those who are disadvantaged to fulfil their opportunities here.”
Guest speaker Professor Tony Travers from the London School of Economics said: “There is no place on the Earth that is like where we are standing now. Central London has been the UK’s shop window for hundreds of years. It’s a lucky place but there is this idea going around at the moment that it doesn’t need help. It is very unusual for the middle of the city to have all these different authorities. It could be a muddle, but I think it gives us a curious flexibility and adds to choice and difference.”