Responding to the Conservative manifesto launch, BusinessLDN CEO John Dickie said:
“Whoever forms the next Government needs to kickstart the economy after a prolonged period of low growth, high debt and rising taxes. This will require close partnership with London to deliver the jobs and investment that the UK needs.
“We welcome the fact that the Conservative Party’s manifesto explicitly recognises the private sector’s role in unlocking opportunity. Delivering reforms to boost the City’s global competitiveness and extending ‘full expensing’ to the delivery of brownfield housing would also be a shot in the arm for the economy. Improving our growth prospects is the only sustainable way to improve prosperity and fund investment in our public services.
“But plans to stop road pricing, reverse the Ultra Low Emissions Zone expansion in London and intervene in the London Plan risk undermining the capital’s devolution deal. This would be a step in the wrong direction at a time when more devolution is needed to drive regional growth – not less.”