Property News · July 6, 2016

London housing crisis: mayor and big business in 'furious agreement'


The capital’s urgent need for many more homes ordinary people can afford is recognised by major employers and City Hall alikePeople concerned about London’s acute shortage of the sorts of homes it needs are succumbing to report fatigue. That includes some of those who value such reports, as was acknowledged at Wednesday’s launch of a new one for business membership organisation London First as part of its campaign to increase the supply of new homes in London to the 50,000 a year required. There was, though, an important difference between this gathering – a business breakfast at the offices of law firm Dentons, near St Paul’s – and others that have gone before. That difference was a sense of hope – hope that, at long last, analysis will be followed by concerted action.The optimism arises from a perhaps unlikely mustering of diverse forces around a common cause. One is the now profound anxiety of larger London businesses that the people they want and need to employ simply cannot afford to live in the capital, including many who are quite well paid. Another is the election of Sadiq Khan as London mayor. Khan’s deputy for housing James Murray is more of the socialist republic school of Islington politician than (to strike a topical note) the Granita pact variety. That said, he’s been energetically constructing cross-border alliances since relocating to City Hall. Like a diligent builder, Murray has been sizing up his task and picking practical tools for getting it done. Continue reading…

Source : theguardian.com
Read more…London housing crisis: mayor and big business in ‘furious agreement’

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