Shaping London’s economic future

There is a huge disconnect between salaries and house prices. Even a "good" salary working in the City means all you can afford to buy in London is a cramped apartment, often in areas with poor amenities or next to railroad tracks, which is simply not worth the price charged. Ever more identical overpriced "luxury" high rise shoeboxes are getting thrown up, ruining the cityscape and the quality of the housing supply. We need higher quality, spacious housing that not just the top 0.1% can afford. Sure, London has jobs that pay more than non-London jobs, but it is a terrible place for trying to start a family.

Youth crime and drunkenness are big problems in Actotand this isn't helped by our having so few Police Officers available 3 only for the High Street and surrounding area. In the last 4 weeks alone I've had to call the Police and London Ambulance services on two separate occasions to deal with injured drunks and have them taken to hospital for CT scans. The services have been excellent but they are so overwhelmed it is ridiculous and we all know that shops who are struggling to stay in business have sold these young idiots alcohol despite their being obviously highly intoxicated. Such shops simply have to be monitored and shut down if they persist in such actions

London can see improvements once key issues are addressed, including violent crime (knife crime), violence against women and girls, illegal immigration, and the problem of two-tier policing. Tower Hamlets suffers from corruption, where preferences for social housing and small business funding seem to favor a specific demographic, but you already know this.

Getting around London is of paramount importance. Painting cycle lanes and closing roads is discriminatory towards people with disabilities, families, the elderly and in general people who do not travel around with just a backpack.

The serious solution should be to increase drastically the number of buses (Superloop is a start but far from enough) and public transport in general. Elizabeth line is great, but if you miss the train for certain West London destination it's gonna be a 30 min wait....

Invest heavily in high quality public transport and refrain from cheap, short term initiatives only good for posturing.

The one thing London is famous for: Creative Arts, which have been decimated-and getting worse-5 years running. 

The night-time economy has no support-transport on “24 hour” buses is a joke; the buses and trains do not meet the airport requirements; travel rates, and CC and ULEZ should have eliminated fuel-buses and yet still streets are polluted by TfL. The bus drivers are mean-spirited and disregard safety. Residents are forced to live on high streets in shocking conditions that prevent them from a good night’s rest while bars, theatres, cinemas and restaurants struggle to stay open, provide good entertainment and are also responsible and penalised for joys and excitement of the patrons, having licenses revoked or limited.  

As a country which considers itself influential, excellent recycling and clean streets (beyond the square mile) should be a given. Having a meal disturbed by the stench of a rubbish collection after 9pm (more unnecessary noise) and leaving rubbish for the desperate foxes and homeless to wreck and disperse, while much is exported to the global south, is an embarrassment for citizens.

All tourist locations should be free to locals. Big franchises should be paying for housing and arts as condition of their permit. All high rises should be using and contributing green energy to their neighbours, commercial business must provide a full week of volunteering for homeless and aged. Cars should be forced to park outside city limits to empty streets and improve TfL efficiency and increase services. All events should be streamed at low cost so all can enjoy. Hooliganism and racism should be given maximum penalty. The mayor should be revolting agains protestor arrests. Red telephone boxes should be repurposed to provide quiet space for over-stimulation with seating for the less mobile. The city should be littered with water fountains and solar powered bins. All estates and railway lines should have lawns/weed replaced with food and bee-friendly pollinators

I love London and work for the NHS.I would like to see London NHS workers get free or discounted transport or for the Inner London uplift to consider actual housing costs and travel costs. 

Further, I am very much for active walking and cycling as transport. I see minimal attention made, however, to making the pavements safe for pedestrians. 

There have been great strides made to keep cyclists safe on the streets. Unfortunately, many London cyclists are cycling on the pavement and running red lights. On my route to work, this appears to be for the convenience of circumventing a one way system,  to avoid stopping behind buses, and for perceived wider space than the provided cycle lanes. Now I’m seeing mopeds and motorbikes following suit.

I have nearly been run over by cyclists running red lights in front of my local police station on multiple occasions. I’ve had multiple patients clipped or sideswiped by cyclists and broken bones and bruised faces. I finally spoke with the police about it and they said both of these acts are illegal but not enforced and that enforcing the law would need to come down from the London Met Police via my local MP. 

I would like to walk on the high street and other roads without being scared out of my wits by cyclists racing toward me head on or tailgating me as I walk on the pavement. I would like to cross on the green man protected crossing and zebra crossing without feeling like the cyclists are not going to stop and I’m going to have to run to get out of the way. And I would like the same for my patients.

I fully understand the frustration regarding pedestrians walking into cycle lanes. That, however, is a different argument.

In envisioning a future in London, thriving would involve access to a dynamic job market that fosters innovation and creativity. It would require supportive networks, a decent quality of life, and the availability of resources such as affordable housing and reliable public transport. Additionally, opportunities for continuous learning and professional development would be crucial for adapting to the rapidly changing economic landscape.

Regarding the local high street, what I appreciate most might be the diversity of shops and the sense of community it fosters. A vibrant high street can serve as a social hub, offering a mix of local businesses, cafes, and markets that reflect the character of the neighbourhood. However, the least appealing aspect might be the presence of empty storefronts or a lack of investment in the area. This can detract from the high street's vibrancy and make it less inviting. A focus on revitalising these spaces, encouraging local entrepreneurship, and enhancing public amenities could significantly contribute to the overall economic growth and community well-being in London.

A decent job or a good workplace often embodies several key elements. It would provide a healthy work-life balance, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive environment where employees feel valued and respected. A strong sense of community, collaboration among team members, and a culture of innovation are also vital. Moreover, a good workplace should prioritise diversity and inclusivity, allowing for varying perspectives and ideas to flourish.

As for successful economic growth in London, it would manifest in several ways. A thriving job market with diverse opportunities across various sectors, including technology, finance, and creative industries, would be a strong indicator. Additionally, increased investment in infrastructure, sustainable development, and public services would contribute to a vibrant economy. 

 

Havering seems to be a dumping ground for problem housing. There are not enough doctor surgery’s, dentists, hospitals, nurses, doctors to cope in the current situation. Trains are over crowded in rush hour like never before. Theft is normal!! No police presence. Stabbings have increased. Let’s sort out that before expanding and building more homes. 

• How do you see your future in the capital? 

  Can't afford to buy a house. Work for a charity so don't earn enough to get a decent mortgage, shared ownership isn't viable, rents are too high. Saving for deposit regardless so I can't rent my own place because it would eat up too much of my income. So I'm 40 years old and back at mums... It's not ideal and I don't see any prospect of being able to buy in London.

  The last few years have also changed the way the city feels - more divided, dirty, dangerous, Public services are falling apart, SMEs are struggling to survive at the expense of larger businesses with no stake in London's communities. 

  Finally, my work takes me to lots of different parts of the city and one thing I've noticed is that the relative inequality has grown - places like Hampstead, Primrose Hill, etc are lovely. They have so much more given to them than the rougher, nastier parts of the city. It's deeply unfair. The people who need support from the state most, are receiving least. Across the board. You see it on the high street, in hospitals, parks, everywhere.

• What do you need to thrive?  

  Affordable Housing/Subsidised rent/more council housing

• What do you like most or least about your local high street, and why? 

  1 - Most of the pubs have all closed down, there used to be some really good ones in Willesden Green but they're almost all gone and there is no space for people to socialise without having to pay £20-30 for a meal.

  2 - Far more rough sleepers than 5-8 years ago. Really hard for them, bit scary for the rest of us.

• What does a good job or good place to work look like to you? 

  Meaningful employment - something that has a purpose/impact. Opportunities for growth. Fair Wage. Inclusive. Agile

• What does successful economic growth look like to you? What would make you feel like you’re benefitting from it too?  

  Need to se it in real life, on the high street, not in boardrooms, FTSE. Rich are rich enough already, need to support people whose needs are greatest

Mia, I’m not going to tell you about my job or anything else that you have asked about in your new post, as what needs to be addressed first and foremost, as commented on in many of the posts here, is the unreliable and expensive transport; the unused cycle lanes; councils that carry out planning consultation and then just go ahead and do what they want anyway even when locals are overwhelmingly against the project…and the developers get away without building the agreed number of affordable units; the pests on mopeds and scooters; the out of control crime that is simply not being dealt with, etc etc etc. These are the things that concern us Londoners.  London is deteriorating. If these things aren’t addressed properly we won’t have jobs to tell you about! 

Stop spending money on pointless virtue signalling and spend it on things that matter.  More visible policing is needed and firm action on low level crime and anti social behaviour is required. Currently there is no/minimal recourse and so these criminals (petty or worse) simply carry on mugging people and stealing shelves worth of stuff from shops because they know that they can get away with it. I find it amazing that the two-tier system has somehow managed to act swiftly to deal with ‘criminals’ from the recent riots and yet there is no police and/or court resource for the crime that blights Londoners EVERYWHERE EVERY DAY. Why isn’t this a priority? Why should we constantly feel unsafe? Your questions and further questions just seem to be another virtue signalling survey / consultation for the sake of it, perhaps until you get the answers you want, rather than really wanting to address the issues raised by all these contributors. 

I started life on a council estate, single parent, free meals.

I have worked very hard and sacrified so much and now earn a good salary. I still can’t afford to get a 1 bedroom flat. I am a Londoner, I love London, I don’t want to leave my home but with house prices constantly going up it just seems that London does not serve Londoners. 

Mr Khan, please look into a making housing accessible for hard working Londoners. Full ownership, not shared ownership. 

Thank you. 



 

I'm worried that with the new UK Government messaging (of growth, growth, growth) and the Mayor of London's 'growth plan' it is all focused on continued economic growth (i.e. GDP) but this is incompatible with a socially just and environmentally safe world in the future. We know traditional (/neoliberal) economic theory is failing our society and our ecosystems, so why are we not progressing the conversation on towards how we can have reasonable prosperity, that is at least agnostic to traditional economic growth indicators, and that is based on a much broader understanding of what a 'good life' means for people. London could really be a leader in this space, and create thriving communities that allow people to live fulfilling, purposeful lives with shared resources, public luxuries and private sufficiency.

A significant issue in the outcomes of exercises of this nature is the failure to consider the different parts of Greater London.  One size does not fit all.  Central, Inner and Outer London are different.  The broad characteristics across the area vary significantly including transport, population density, building density and pollution.  The Initiatives that may play well in Inner London can and do cause problems when dogmatically applied to Outer London. 

We have lived in London for over 20 years, but will be selling our property and leaving. The last drop is the corruption and incompetence of Camden council and Sadiq Khan’s office, who fast tracked massive local developments of thousands of flats in small areas where the local infrastructure will simply be unable to cope. Existing residents have zero rights in London. Consultations are a pretence as the proposals are ushered through anyway regardless of massive objections. One of the developments will bring 1800 flats into the area right near Finchley Road station (yes, 1800!), with laughable amounts of money allocated by the developer to local transport improvements (a step free access!).  Another one near where I live will bring 140 flats without parking with yet another of over 100 flats near West Hampstead station (and others planned nearby!). During the years I have lived here I have witnessed the continued deterioration of transport especially in the morning, which is unable to cope with the massive influx of people due to constant building of flats without any thought for the local residents and infrastructure. The old and tiny tube stations of Finchley Road and West Hampstead will NOT be able to accommodate this amount of new residents and the cumulative impact has never been considered together with other planned developments in the area when the council and the mayor approved the developer planning applications. There is zero local support for the plans, and the locals are far from nymbys, but the local infrastructure simply cannot cope! What this area lacks is local parks and schools, GPs, nurseries and not more flats. We will move from the area but Sadiq Khan has made London unliveable for everyone who lived in and loved this city for many years. In the meantime Sadiq himself travels by ULEZ-exempt bullet proof Range Rover and complains about feeling unsafe. You cannot make it up. Others have commented on the unsafe streets and crime so will not cover it

London needs a mixed use planning policy. What this means is mixed neighbourhoods, so ppeople live in urban areas. To many areas where there is no or little housing.

We need to rebuild all the old council housing, is disintigrating. Get developers  to rebuild Londons suberbs and make better use of the space.

Invest in the roads, Oxford street is a disgracefull mess

Ironically the mayor’s ULEZ policy doesn’t cover the myriad of hugely polluting learner motorbikes speeding and driving in an agresive and unsafe manner while emitting suffocating fumes! These should be banned if you really want to tackle pollution, they are the single biggest source of road emissions in London at the moment. 

I often witness crime in the high street and surrounding areas, housing and rental prices have driven out the native population, there are care homes being  turnt into asylum seekers' living spaces whilst we cannot get appointments at our GP or save enough money to better out prospects. 

Generally, there persists varying degrees of pessimism in my community, both economic and social for London and London boroughs have become a deeply unpleasant, unsafe place to live and work and, like many young people, I am leaving, evidence of the so-called 'brain-drain'.

I think a lot needs to change to make London a place I want to be and my area a place I want to visit.

I live in an area of South London and we have had a cycle lane put in. I'm all in favor of environmental fuelled changes but the cycle lane comes at a cost of the road being halved and an entire bus route taken out of the area and rerouted nowhere nearby. The bus left behind is always late due to traffic and always over crowded when it does arrive. I can't drive so this has meant getting anywhere by bus is a nightmare. 

But what I don't understand is; along that same route, parallel to the same cycle lane is a far more scenic bus route along the river. Both were built at the same time, if I were on a bike I know which I would choose and it seems most cyclists have done the same as the cycle lanes are always empty. I don't blame the cyclists- I wouldn't choose to cycle on such a heavily polluted road when there is a far less polluted option about 100 meters away!

This is just an example but one which stands out to me as every day my 20 minute journey now never takes any less than an hour. I'd walk if I were not disabled and needing to rely on public transport. 

The buses though, these also need to change! I am sick and tired of hearing "this bus is being held here to even out the service" making me late, meaning the bus then piles up with even more people and more than it can take and results in everyone being irate and stressed. This shouldn't be allowed to happen; if a bus runs early it runs early, not my fault for getting to the bus stop and finding a bus arrives, I rarely wait less than the expected time before that bus should arrive. If a bus is running early it should be clearly indicated on the bus countdown system or app, at least that way you know not to bother, maybe wait for another bus or given the choice of 2 buses you avoid the one where the driver has decided to pause and read their paper... !