Property at heart of London First's manifesto for Mayor

The business organisation, which represents more than 300 of the city’s largest employers, has put the property industry at the heart of how the next Mayor of London, who will be voted in next year, can drive the capital forward as the economic international hub.

New York rival

‘London rivals New York as the world’s centre for financial and business services,’ said the report entitled ‘The Manifesto for the Next Mayor’.

‘The world’s leading financial and business services organisations need world class office space.

‘We call on the Mayor to use new mayoral powers to enable more strategic, world city development.’

More housing - not just affordable

The manifesto also calls for more house building, not specifically social housing, so all homes are more affordable.

‘Increasing the housing stock in London increases choice and reduces housing costs for all,’ it says. ‘The Mayor must adopt policies which encourage an increase in the housing supply overall, not those that specifically focus on ‘affordable housing’.

London First also wants the next Mayor to focus on improving specific areas of the city.

Start in Thames Gateway

It also said the Mayor should press the government to get infrastructure into the Thames Gateway, Europe’s largest regeneration site, and push for development to start in the area.

London’s West End, the focus for many visitors to the city, should also be rejuvenated, the 12-page document said. It also calls for work to begin on Crossrail.

In return the manifesto said the industry will work with the Mayor to continue building offices and homes in the city.