Read our response to the Government’s Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 below.
You can also read our response on business rates which has been led by WPA.
Charles Begley, Chief Executive of the London Property Alliance, said:
“Following the recent publication of our joint report on ‘City Region Connectivity’, and engagement with a range of senior political figures during the party conferences, we welcome the Chancellor’s announcement today.
The confirmation of a £6.9bn funding package, which takes forward many of our recommendations on improving inter-city connectivity across city regions, will provide a boost to our cities and help enable them to fulfil the potential of the talent and skills of businesses and people throughout the country. Continued investment in all cities, including London, is critical to the economic and social prosperity of the UK, particularly as we continue to recover from the pandemic.”
Read our 9 asks of the Treasury, submitted ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review and Budget:
- Allow further fiscal devolution to local government, including the GLA, to facilitate the retention of a greater proportion of business rates revenue and the ability to consider the imposition of other additional levies/additional taxes to support growth.
- Provide a capital funding package to support continued investment in London’s existing public infrastructure, including a continuation of the underground upgrade programme as well as a commitment to ‘active travel’ such as cycle lanes and ebike infrastructure.
- Use London’s inner-city infrastructure as a template for regional city connectivity and consider how the roll-out of light-rail and tram systems can help drive growth and productivity in core cities.
- Restore tax-free shopping for international visitors which can help drive a recovery in tourism in London and other major UK cities.
- Provide three-year additional revenue support package for Transport for London to safeguard services, and to facilitate more innovative and flexible ticket models to help accelerate the return to offices.
- Cap inflationary rail fare increase for 2022 to help sustain the return of office workers and to remove a cost disincentive from commuting into central London and other UK city centres.
- Provide leadership and positive messaging around the return to the office and the broader social economic benefits that brings and implement a consistent and cross-government return to the office strategy.
- Provide dedicated capital grant scheme for complex retrofit projects, particularly those involving listed and historic buildings that are integral to central London’s unique character.
- Consider the provision of additional grant funding to support the development of green homes within central and inner London where land values are highest, and delivery of affordable homes is vital to support key workers.
See our full submission to the Chancellor here.
Read coverage from Property Week (£).
