Kahn calls for tax powers equivalent to New York

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called for more control over taxes and public services, akin to those given to the mayors of Chicago and New York.

Khan highlighted that he and the London boroughs combined only have control over seven per cent of the funds raised by residents and businesses, while his New York and Chicago counterparts have control of over 50 per cent of the cash.

Khan also outlined that the mayors of New York and Chicago administer a number of additional taxes such as stock transfers property, alcohol and tobacco.

The Mayor has called on the government to agree on a new devolution deal for London to include new powers over national rail train services, tax raising powers, criminal justice and health services.

Khan explained: “London needs more control over the services that will help improve life in our city, such as housing, skills, air quality, health and crime. I’ve seen first-hand that Mayors in cities like New York, Chicago and Montreal are able to make huge improvements to the lives of the people they represent, because they have more control over services in their city.

“London’s population is the same size as Wales and Scotland combined, but we have far less control over how our capital is run. London needs that control so that we can protect jobs and growth and make London a better city to live in for all Londoners.”