Levelling up must not leave London behind

A cross-party group of MPs has declared that Londoners must not be excluded from the benefits of the government’s levelling up plans.

Ahead of the anticipated launch of the government’s white paper on levelling up, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for London has highlighted the capital’s crucial contribution to the UK’s prosperity, as well as London’s immense economic and social needs.

London was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The capital’s Covid-19 infection and mortality rates were high and above the national average and the impact of restrictions on London’s economy was also particularly pronounced, with central London businesses the worst affected in the UK and losing 47 weeks of sales between the first lockdown and Omicron’s onset. The unemployment rate in the capital is 5.4 per cent compared to the UK-wide rate of 4.1 per cent.

The group also highlights London’s high poverty rates. It is estimated that 27 per cent of Londoners live in relative poverty (after housing costs) with 76 per cent of children in poverty in London in working families. London is suffering the most severe homelessness crisis in the country, with 165,000 Londoners in temporary accommodation and the capital accounting for two-thirds of England’s homelessness total.

Sir Bob Neill, co-chair of the APPG for London, said: “We’re keen to see a positive role for London in the levelling up white paper. The capital faces enormous economic challenges and is home to some of the most deprived communities in the UK. New policies aimed at spreading opportunity and boosting prosperity must include the many low-income Londoners who need to benefit from this important agenda. Tackling deprivation and productivity issues in London will help generate economic growth not only in the capital but across the UK.”