Sadiq Khan: ‘Anti-London approach could seriously exacerbate the cost of living crisis’

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
The mayor of London pointed to the success of the Elizabeth line - which has had more than one million visitors in five days - to show that London investment helps other parts of the UK.

Sadiq Khan has condemned a “strong undercurrent of anti-London sentiment from many politicians” and has said this could exacerbate the cost of living crisis.

In a speech at the London Government Dinner, the mayor pointed out that the capital has some of the most deprived communities in the county and hit out at London being excluded from funding pots.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Khan spoke of the success of the Elizabeth line, which had more than 60% of its contracts from outside London, as to how investment in London can help the rest of the UK.

He said: “I fear the anti-London approach could seriously exacerbate the cost of living crisis.

“Even before these latest economic shocks, too many Londoners were already finding it impossible to keep their heads above water.

“We have some of the most deprived communities in the country living here in our city.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Credit: Hollie Adams/Getty ImagesMayor of London Sadiq Khan. Credit: Hollie Adams/Getty Images
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Credit: Hollie Adams/Getty Images | Getty Images

“To overlook London for investment – and exclude our city from various funding pots as this government has already done – is completely indefensible,” he said.

“Help for our communities should be based on need, not geography.

“A child born into poverty in Lewisham or Newham is blighted by deprivation and inequality in exactly the same way as a child born into similar circumstances in Leeds or Newcastle.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Sadiq Khan at new station in WoolwichSadiq Khan at new station in Woolwich
Sadiq Khan at new station in Woolwich | Credit: Lynn Rusk

The mayor said he wants to see ministers take bolder steps to tackle the cost of living crisis, including scrapping the benefit cap, devolving powers to freeze private rents and reverse the cuts to Universal Credit.

“More than 60% of contracts for the Elizabeth line were awarded to firms outside London,” he said.

“Tens of thousands of jobs have been created across the country because of the project. And it's estimated that it will add up to £42 billion to the UK economy as a whole.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This isn’t a case of London monopolising investment and resources.

“This is an example of levelling-up in action – a mammoth infrastructure project that supports growth, employment and supply chains the length and breadth of our great United Kingdom.

“Indeed, just to give three examples: the trains were built in Derby, the station doors manufactured in Cheshire and the signage made on the Isle of White using steel from Dorset.”

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice